Baku: The program for partner-led events at the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled from 17 to 22 May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been officially announced, featuring over 370 events.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, these events will revolve around the theme ‘Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,’ as stated by the Operating Company.
Partner-led events are integral to the Forum, uniting a diverse array of participants including local and national governments, civil society, academia, the private sector, grassroots organizations, and United Nations entities. These gatherings aim to exchange ideas, solutions, and lived experiences, thereby shaping the global urban agenda.
By uniting global insights with local solutions, these sessions ensure that discussions on sustainable urbanization are grounded in practical experiences and collaborations. They play a crucial role in advancing dialogue, fostering partnerships, and accelerating action towards more sustainable cities.
One of the highlights is ‘Voices from Cities,’ with over 50 events showcasing local governments, community leaders, and grassroots organizations. These sessions emphasize the importance of local participation in urban development, fostering city-to-city collaboration and amplifying the voices of those directly involved in shaping urban areas.
The ‘One UN’ category, featuring more than 30 sessions, demonstrates how United Nations entities are promoting sustainable urbanization. These events connect global agendas with local implementation, emphasizing coordinated approaches that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.
‘SDGs in Action’ presents over 30 events focused on turning global commitments into tangible results. These sessions highlight collaborative approaches across various domains, aiming to drive impactful solutions for sustainable urban development.
With more than 170 events, ‘Networking Events’ provide opportunities for participants to engage with global leaders and innovators in sustainable urbanization. These sessions facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote collaborations essential for advancing the localization of the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda.
The newly introduced ‘WUF Academy’ offers over 30 opportunities for practitioners, universities, and experts to enhance their knowledge and skills, thereby accelerating progress towards sustainable urban futures.
The ‘Urban Library,’ with over 30 events, provides a platform for engaging with the latest research and publications on urban development. Meanwhile, ‘Urban Cinema’ presents 15 short films, combining storytelling with discussions to explore housing and urbanization challenges from various perspectives.