Baku: Azerbaijan's efforts in sustainable urbanization have been recognized as a potential model for other nations, as highlighted by Mohamed Coulibaly, the UN-Habitat Program Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Coulibaly shared his insights with AZERTAC during the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), emphasizing Azerbaijan's growing influence in urban development.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Coulibaly pointed out that Azerbaijan's active participation in the Assembly of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, along with its role in hosting the forum, underscores its leadership in the area. He commended Baku for its impressive urban planning and development, noting that the city presents itself as a well-developed and strategically planned urban area.

Additionally, Coulibaly highlighted the "smart city" and "smart village" initiatives spearheaded by Azerbaijan, which he believes could serve as effective models for other countries seeking to enhance their urban planning strategies. These projects are seen as valuable blueprints that could guide sustainable urbanization efforts worldwide.