Baku: The inclusion of media as a separate topic of discussion within the framework of WUF13 demonstrated its growing role in urban planning, housing, and sustainable development processes. The trust of such a panel to an Azerbaijani media institution and a non-governmental organization promoting the development of media in Azerbaijan is not only an indicator of the international trust shown to the country's civil society and media but also creates a great responsibility. The event emphasized the importance of the media in shaping public opinion, ensuring transparency, and establishing dialogue between different parties. The extensive coverage of the session by UN Web TV allowed the discussions to be brought to a global audience. At the same time, the forum played an important platform for the Azerbaijani media in terms of establishing new international partnerships and expanding professional cooperation opportunities. According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Chairman of the Media Development Center Public Unio n and Honored Journalist of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Gabil Abbasoglu, stated that holding the World Urban Forum, one of the most influential global platforms of the United Nations, in Azerbaijan was of great importance for the country. The forum created new opportunities for both Azerbaijani media, civil society institutions, and international cooperation. Gabil Abbasoglu noted that the organization he leads was entrusted by the UN to organize an international panel on the role of the media in urban planning and sustainable development processes within the forum. He emphasized that this trust shows that non-governmental organizations operating in the media sector in Azerbaijan are recognized internationally and have the potential to cooperate with global partners. The Chairman of the Union highly appreciated the support provided by the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which was the main partner in organizing the event, and expressed his gratitude t o the Agency's leadership. He noted that the full broadcast of the event by UN Web TV, the official broadcasting platform of the UN, was an indicator of the high international appreciation of the importance of the panel and the forum in general. This also made a significant contribution to increasing the visibility of Azerbaijani media in the global information space. Gabil Abbasoglu also highlighted the initiative to establish a regional media consortium on urban planning and housing accessibility within the forum. Media organizations of the countries in the region can further expand the exchange of experience and public discussions by forming a joint cooperation platform in this direction. According to him, the fact that his organization participated in organizing such a large-scale international event for the first time was an important experience for both the organization and the Azerbaijani media in general. He emphasized that the relations established within the framework of the forum should serve to create new international partnerships and expand cooperation opportunities in the future. Rizvan Nabiyev, a member of the Milli Majlis and a member of the Supervisory Board of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, believes that the inclusion of media as a separate topic of discussion within the framework of WUF13 indicates that its growing role in urban planning, housing provision, and sustainable development processes is recognized at the international level. In the era of globalization, professional media act as one of the main driving forces of social processes. The MP emphasizes that the session on 'Media as a driving force in public discourse on housing and urbanization' held within the framework of WUF13 demonstrated that the media not only has an information function but also plays a coordinating role between governments, municipalities, architects, investors, and civil society institutions. The media contributes to bringing decisions related to urban planning and settlement to public discussion, ensuring transparency, and strengthening public accountability. Rizvan Nabiyev notes that the trust of such a panel to the Azerbaijani media organization is an indicator of international trust in the country's media. This trust is also an assessment of the professionalism of the Azerbaijani media, but also creates a great responsibility. According to him, the high-level organization of the session and wide international participation confirmed that Azerbaijan is perceived as a reliable partner in the global information space. According to the deputy, the urban planning model that Azerbaijan formed in the post-conflict period was also in the spotlight within the forum. The role of the media is of particular importance in presenting the restoration and reconstruction projects implemented based on the strategic vision of President Ilham Aliyev to the international audience. Just as the international media played an important role in conveying the devastation caused in Karabakh to the world community during the occupation, today it also widely covers the Great Return and reconstruction processes. Rizvan Nabiyev believes that holding a media session within the framework of WUF13 and its extensive coverage by UN Web TV, the official broadcasting platform of the UN, made it possible to convey the discussions to a global audience. This opened up important opportunities for the Azerbaijani media in terms of establishing new international partnerships, expanding the exchange of experience, and developing cooperation with global media networks. Olumide Idowu Emmanuel, co-founder of Nigeria's International Climate Change Development Initiative, highlighted that the creation of a dedicated platform on media issues at WUF13 demonstrates the growing importance of the media in urban development, public awareness, and climate action. The allocation of a separate space to media issues at such an influential global event as WUF13 shows that communication and narratives have be come one of the main driving forces of international discussions on urbanization, sustainability, and sustainable development. The expert emphasized that entrusting the organization of the panel held within the framework of WUF13 to the Azerbaijani media organization means a great responsibility. This requires ensuring transparency, editorial independence, balanced representation, and the protection of citizens' voices. This responsibility is all the more important at a time when issues of media freedom, accountability, and inclusive participation in climate policy debates are at the forefront of the global agenda. Shafag Mehraliyeva, a member of the Supervisory Board of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and director of the Communication and Digital Media program at ADA University, said that although the concept of urban sustainability in modern times is usually associated with smart architecture, transportation systems, and infrastructure projects, the core of cities is the people and communities living there. The success of urban development strategies directly depends on the trust and confidence of those communities in the defined development vision. Blanca Mujica Acuna Judit, director of the Peruvian Institute of Public Policies and Diplomacy (IPPDR), emphasized the importance of creating a dedicated space for discussing media issues at an important global platform such as WUF13. In modern times, media is not only a means of transmitting information but also one of the main factors shaping how people perceive urban development, housing, and urban sustainability issues. The way the media presents any topic can influence public opinion, public policy priorities, and even international cooperation processes.