Baku: Azerbaijan has announced a significant initiative as it prepares to host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku from May 17-22, 2026. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree naming 2026 as the 'Year of Urban Planning and Architecture' in Azerbaijan. This decree establishes a comprehensive national framework focused on urban planning policy, architectural culture, and sustainable development.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the move is designed to coincide with WUF13 and positions urban development at the heart of Azerbaijan's commitment to the UN New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities. The forum, under the UN-Habitat theme 'Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,' is expected to gather around 2,000 participants from over 130 countries to tackle global housing challenges.

The global housing crisis affects nearly three billion people, with over 1.1 billion living in informal settlements and more than 300 million experiencing homelessness. These issues are exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanization, and increasing inequality.

Azerbaijan's capability to host such significant events has been demonstrated previously. Its successful hosting of COP29 in December 2024 bolstered international confidence in its ability to manage complex multilateral processes. COP29 resulted in the Baku Finance Goal, which aims to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually for developing countries by 2035 and operationalized Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, enabling transparent international carbon markets.

WUF13 will also feature the first-ever Summit of Heads of State and Government within the forum, highlighting the political importance of housing and urban transformation.

Azerbaijan will use this platform to showcase its urban achievements, particularly in the post-conflict regions of Garabagh and East Zangezur. Following the 2020 conflict, Azerbaijan embarked on an ambitious reconstruction program that includes landmine clearance, development of transport and industrial infrastructure, and economic revitalization. These regions have been declared a 'Green Energy Zone,' emphasizing environmental sustainability in rebuilding efforts.