Baku: A Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda will inaugurate the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled from 17 to 22 May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This meeting marks a significant addition to the Forum's agenda as it reaches the midpoint of the New Urban Agenda's 20-year timeline. The gathering provides an essential opportunity to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and shape the subsequent phase of implementation.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, on 17 May 2026, government representatives will convene to review the execution of the New Urban Agenda and deliberate on priorities for the next phase leading to 2036. In alignment with the WUF13 theme, 'Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities', discussions will emphasize housing as a catalyst for inclusion, resilience, and sustainable urban development.
The Ministerial Meeting will offer a platform for countries to exchange experiences, recognize gaps, and reinforce commitments to the New Urban Agenda. It aims to build momentum towards the high-level review of the Agenda at the United Nations General Assembly in 2026. Participants will examine how housing can serve as a pivotal driver across three core dimensions: social inclusion and poverty reduction, economic prosperity and opportunity, and environmental sustainability and resilience. The dialogue will reflect on progress made, national approaches, and priorities for the forthcoming phase of the New Urban Agenda.
The programme will commence with a high-level segment, including representatives from the Government of Azerbaijan, UN-Habitat, and the United Nations system, followed by ministerial statements from Member States highlighting national progress and priorities. In the afternoon, three thematic panels will address housing for social inclusion and poverty alleviation, urban prosperity and opportunities for all, and environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development. These sessions will unite governments, UN entities, civil society, and local authorities to exchange practical approaches and solutions.
The meeting will conclude with a chair's summary, which will encapsulate key recommendations and contribute to global reporting processes and the WUF13 outcome documents, including the Baku Call to Action. As a component of the wider WUF13 programme, the Ministerial Meeting reinforces the Forum's role as a global platform for dialogue, partnership, and action, linking national leadership with local implementation to expedite progress on sustainable urbanization.