Lankaran: A WUF13 Festival has been launched in the city of Lankaran in order to raise public awareness about the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), APA's southern bureau reports. An information session on WUF13 was organized in the first half of the day at Lankaran State University. The session was attended by the teaching staff and students of the university and its Social and Agrarian-Technological College.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the event featured speeches from notable figures including Sehran Alishov, Head of the Socio-Political and Humanitarian Affairs Sector of the Lankaran City Executive Authority, Ramiz Idrisoglu, official representative of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Eldar Rasulov, Content and Media Relations Manager of the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company. They provided detailed information about WUF13, highlighting its importance for the country and the main topics to be discussed within its framework.
Sehran Alishov noted that Lankaran, located on the Great Silk Road, preserves its historical and cultural heritage while integrating with modern buildings. He emphasized the rapid increase in population and urbanization in recent years, mentioning the construction of modern residential buildings, restoration of historical monuments, enhancement of improvement levels, and creation of new parks in the city.
Ramiz Idrisoglu provided insights into Azerbaijan's modern urban planning policy, discussing the ongoing work in the country, as well as employment, inclusivity and mobility opportunities in urban planning, and new approaches. Eldar Rasulov extended an invitation to young people for the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum to be held in Baku on May 17-22, 2026.
The WUF13 festival in Lankaran consists of two parts, with the second part continuing at 18:00 in the open air at the Heydar Aliyev Memorial Park. The evening programs will cover topics such as sustainable urban development, an inclusive urban environment, innovative urban solutions, and the cities of the future. These will be presented to a wide audience through interactive activities, educational games, presentations, and public discussions. Detailed information about the main theme and ideas of WUF13 will also be provided.