13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) Kicks Off in Baku, Azerbaijan
The 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), held from May 17 to 22, 2026, in the Azerbaijani capital, opened with a stark warning: the housing and urbanization crisis has become a global systemic crisis affecting billions of people.
A Record-Breaking Event
With over 42,000 participants from 182 countries, WUF13 is presented by UN-Habitat as the largest edition ever organized, marking a turning point in global urban governance. The event brings together heads of state, ministers, mayors, UN agencies, investors, researchers, and civil society representatives around a common goal: transforming commitments into concrete actions.
A Global Urban Crisis
During the opening press conference, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach delivered a clear message on the scale of the global urban crisis. She highlighted that nearly 3 billion people live in inadequate housing conditions, while over 1 billion reside in informal settlements, and more than 300 million live in poverty. According to her, these realities should not be treated as isolated problems but as symptoms of a deep-seated structural dysfunction.
A Crisis Beyond Housing
Rossbach emphasized that the current crisis goes beyond housing, affecting inclusion, resilience, economic opportunities, and human dignity. She stressed that housing is the entry point for a global urban transformation, recalling its fundamental human right and central role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Goal 11.
A Call to Action
The UN official highlighted that the main challenge is no longer the absence of solutions but their large-scale implementation and timely execution. She called for an integrated approach linking housing, land, basic services, mobility, climate action, and economic development. Rossbach presented WUF13 as a platform for transition between dialogue and action, marked by over 370 partner events, six high-level dialogues, and a global exhibition dedicated to urban innovation.
Baku's Central Role
Anar Guliyev, President of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan, emphasized the strategic importance of hosting WUF13 in Baku. He recalled that this global event is the result of a process initiated in 2021 with the organization of national urban forums, which allowed for structured internal dialogue on urban policies, planning, and development priorities.
Azerbaijan's Urban Transformation
Guliyev highlighted that Azerbaijan is currently undergoing an ambitious urban transformation based on modernizing infrastructure, expanding public services, developing smart cities, and climate resilience. He also mentioned efforts to rebuild areas affected by large-scale rehabilitation projects, presented as an opportunity to build a new model of sustainable urban development.
A Record-Breaking Event
Baku is hosting over 42,000 participants and a 35,000 sqm urban exhibition featuring 260 organizations. The forum introduces new initiatives, including a hub dedicated to businesses and innovation, an urban academy, and networking spaces between startups, governments, and investors. For the first time in WUF history, a high-level segment bringing together political leaders is integrated to reinforce the impact of commitments.
Putting Humans at the Center
Nga Kor Ming, President of the UN-Habitat Assembly and Malaysian Minister of Housing and Local Government, emphasized the human dimension of urbanization. He recalled that cities are not just physical structures but spaces of life and human stories. According to him, rapid urbanization generates both economic opportunities and major challenges, including social inequalities, housing, and climate vulnerability.
A Call to Action
Kor Ming highlighted that the forum's theme, centered on housing, reflects a pressing global priority and calls for putting humans at the heart of public policies. He emphasized that technology, although powerful, cannot replace the dimension of trust and solidarity necessary for building sustainable communities. He called for transforming political discussions into measurable results on the ground, strengthening international cooperation, and sharing solutions adapted to local realities.
WUF13: A Global Platform for Action
Beyond speeches, WUF13 positions itself as an operational transformation platform for the global urban agenda. The forum combines political dialogues, innovation, public-private partnerships, and field initiatives. Organizers highlight the need to bridge the gap between political commitments and concrete implementation. Several initiatives have been launched, including platforms for sharing best practices, innovation hubs, and capacity-building programs.
The Baku Call to Action
The event is expected to culminate in the "Baku Call to Action," a final declaration aimed at accelerating global policies for sustainable urban development. With a record-breaking participation and high-level institutional presence, WUF13 is set to become a pivotal moment for international urban governance. The event highlights a global consensus: the global urban crisis is no longer a sectoral issue but a structural challenge requiring an integrated, coordinated, and accelerated response.
