Nairobi: Kenyan newspaper ‘The Standard’ has published an article highlighting the upcoming hosting of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan, as well as the importance of the Joint Declaration signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the article, headlined ‘Housing to remain key at Word Urban Forum,’ mentioned that the World Urban Forum, co-organized by the Government of Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat in Baku in May 2026, will focus on ‘Housing the World – safe and resilient Cities and Communities.’ A pioneer summit for heads of states and governments focusing on the importance of urban planning for global development is expected to be one of the key components of the WUF13.

The report further elaborated that while Kenya faces a persistent housing deficit with interventions such as the affordable housing project, Azerbaijan, the host nation of the 13th WUF, is undertaking a major reconstruction and rehabilitation program for the territories liberated following 30 years of occupation by neighboring Armenia. Azerbaijan aims to move past the conflict by focusing on peace and development in the region.

The article emphasized that this development comes at a time when a historic peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was brokered by the US and signed by the Azerbaijani President and the Armenian Prime Minister. This agreement is set to offer stability and enhance partnership in the region, broadening the opportunities for the 13th World Urban Forum.

The report also noted that after hosting COP29 in 2024, Azerbaijan is expected to focus on how climate change impacts urban development. This topic is anticipated to be one of the key discussions during the WUF, particularly given the fact that the Forum will take place on the eve of World Environment Day 2026, which will also be held in Azerbaijan in June 2026.