Baku: Anacl¡udia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), has expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the successful organization of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Rossbach conveyed her appreciation in a letter to the Azerbaijani President, highlighting the record participation from various global sectors including national and local governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Rossbach emphasized that WUF13 was a pivotal event for the global housing community and UN-Habitat, marking the first time the Forum was held in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region.

The letter noted the historic nature of the event and praised the Azerbaijani government's commitment, leadership, and hospitality, which were crucial to the Forum's success. Rossbach acknowledged the effective collaboration between UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan in preparing and organizing the forum, which addressed substantive, operational, and logistical challenges.

WUF13 produced significant outcomes, including the Baku Call to Action and the Ministerial Meeting outcome document. It also hosted the largest Urban Expo in the history of the World Urban Forum and introduced innovative initiatives such as the WUF Academy and the Business and Innovation Hub. These contributions were deemed groundbreaking in advancing global cooperation and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11.

Rossbach further mentioned the lasting legacies of WUF13, such as the 'WUF13 Baku Standards', which will guide future sessions of the World Urban Forum, and the Baku Urban Award.