Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is set to host the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) from May 17 to 22, 2026. Co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the forum will transform the Baku Olympic Stadium into a global platform for addressing the most urgent challenges of modern urbanization.
WUF13 arrives at a critical juncture for global development. Under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities” addressing the global housing crisis and promoting sustainable urban growth, the forum will bring together thousands of participants, including heads of state, urban planners, academics, and civil society leaders.
With 58 percent of the global population living in cities and towns, the world is more urban than ever and the World Urban Forum has never been more critical. WUF13 has added importance as it coincides with the midterm review of the New Urban Agenda, the global framework adopted in 2016 to guide sustainable urban development, and the 2026 global review of SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Cities are growing faster than ever before, with nearly 70 percent of the world’s population expected to live in urban areas by 2050. This growth brings enormous potential for prosperity, innovation and development, but also significant challenges, particularly in housing, infrastructure, climate resilience and social inclusion.
Considering the urgency of the global housing crisis, Azerbaijan is positioning WUF13 as a global platform to elevate housing to the top of the policy agenda. The Forum will emphasize that housing is not a standalone sector, but a cross-cutting driver of development – essential for progress in health, education, climate resilience, and economic growth.
WUF13 will serve as a space to showcase practical solutions and best practices from around the world and highlight innovative approaches, success stories, and scalable models that can help countries address the housing crisis in their own contexts.
WUF13 at the same time will be a platform to build partnerships and encourage joint commitments – from financing and policy reforms to new pledges and initiatives. These partnerships are important as no single entity can address the issues underpinning the global housing crisis. By bringing together governments, cities, financial institutions, and development partners, the Forum will help mobilize the political and financial will needed to accelerate action on housing and urban sustainability.
From climate-resilient construction to energy-efficient building technologies, the private sector plays a decisive role in shaping sustainable and equitable urban futures. WUF13 will create more space for private sector engagement and solution-sharing.
The Urban Expo will cover more than 35,000 square meters and serve as a central platform for presenting solutions, best practices and innovations. It is envisioned not merely as an exhibition space, but as a dynamic hub for dialogue, partnerships and tangible collaboration.
For six days, WUF13 will host thousands of people from all parts of the world – including ministers, regional governors, mayors, urban planners, the private sector, community leaders, civil society, academics and UN agencies, among others.
WUF13 will feature hundreds of different events, including an opening and closing session, assemblies, dialogues, special sessions, roundtables and an extended Urban Expo, alongside opportunities for networking and informal exchange.
Operationally, WUF13 will feature approximately 40 main sessions and around 350 partner-led events.
As the host nation, Azerbaijan is introducing several “firsts” to the forum’s traditional format to elevate political and practical impact:
The WUF13 Leaders’ Summit is a high-level platform initiated by the Government of Azerbaijan to address the most pressing urban challenges in a strategic and coordinated manner. It will convene heads of state and global decision-makers to advance political commitment and concrete action toward sustainable urban development. The Summit aims to generate forward-looking solutions and strengthen international cooperation on critical urban agendas.
WUF Academy & Practices Hub: New dedicated spaces for learning and showcasing tested, real-world innovations from global cities.
Baku Call to Action: The forum will culminate in a landmark outcome document aimed at accelerating the implementation of adequate housing and sustainable urban development globally.
President Ilham Aliyev has officially declared 2026 as the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” in Azerbaijan. This national initiative aligns with WUF13, highlighting the country’s commitment to:
Post-Conflict Reconstruction: Showcasing the “Smart Village” and “Smart City” models being implemented in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.
Green Energy Commitment: The forum itself will be powered by renewable energy, demonstrating Azerbaijan’s bridge between climate action (following COP29) and sustainable urbanism.
“WUF13 in Baku will be a historic milestone, bridging historical heritage with futuristic urban solutions,” stated Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and WUF13 National Coordinator. The forum aims not just to discuss problems, but to launch ambitious, replicable projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens long after the event concludes.
For registration and official updates, you can visit www.wuf13.az.
