Baku: Baku hosted the Leaders’ Statements on May 18 within the framework of the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13).
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event featured speeches by various international leaders, including President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Kenya William Samoei Ruto, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, and President of Bulgaria Iliana Iotova. Other notable attendees included Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini, and President of Mauritius Dharambeer Gokhool. The forum also saw participation from Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Guoqing, Vice President of Zimbabwe Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, and Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko, among others.
The speakers expressed gratitude to the leadership of Azerbaijan for the organization of WUF13 in Baku and the hospitality extended to participants. They acknowledged the transformation of Baku into a dialogue center under President Ilham Aliyev and noted the restoration and reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories. The speakers emphasized the forum’s role as a platform for discussing urban planning challenges and presenting ideas for sustainable urban development, underlining the significance of the event.
The 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, recognized as one of the United Nations’ prestigious global urbanization platforms, is being held in Baku from May 17 to 22. The event, organized by UN-Habitat, concentrates on urban planning, sustainable development, and inclusive living environments under the theme ‘Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.’