World Urban Forum Opens in Baku With Focus on Sustainable Cities
The 13th World Urban Forum opened on Sunday, May 17, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The global gathering, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Government of Azerbaijan, will continue until May 23 and is focused on the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiya, Qatar’s Minister of Municipality, said at the forum that Qatar’s experience has shown integrated planning to be the foundation for building more sustainable and resilient cities capable of balancing development, people, and the environment.
More than 32,000 participants from nearly 180 countries, including a delegation from Afghanistan, are attending the global forum.
Mexico’s Minister of Municipality said that a gradual path should be outlined to ensure that each of the seven components of this human right is reflected in national and local public policies.
During the six-day forum, government officials, mayors, international organizations, urban experts, university professors, civil society activists, and private sector representatives are discussing the global housing crisis, sustainable urban development, climate change, smart cities, and ways to build resilient and inclusive cities.
A special session on Afghanistan is scheduled for the third day of the forum, focusing on urban challenges, the settlement of displaced people, climate change, urban services, and the reconstruction of cities in Afghanistan.
