Azerbaijan successfully coped with another important international test by organizing the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) at the highest level. The successful implementation of this prestigious event demonstrated to the whole world not only our country's high organizational skills, but also its creative approach to global urban planning challenges, social settlement and urbanization problems. During the six days of the Forum, Azerbaijan's experience based on scientific and technological innovations, especially the "Smart City", "Smart Village" and "Green Zone" projects implemented in the liberated territories, gained special favor from the international community.
Modern.az reports with reference to AZERTAC that although the forum has completed its work, its global resonance is still ongoing. Leading media resources of the world have published a series of materials widely covering President Ilham Aliyev's conceptual speech at the opening ceremony, our country's exemplary hosting of the forum, and its achievements in the field of urban planning. The international press characterized WUF13 as the most important intellectual and political platform defining the global urban planning agenda, a strategic place where the "Baku Call" against modern urbanization crises was sounded. Topics discussed at the forum such as climate resilience, housing affordability, and digital transformation have become headlines of leading news agencies around the world as urgent issues determining the future fate of humanity. The innovative solutions voiced once again confirmed that Azerbaijan is not only a host in solving global problems, but also an important exporter of ideas and strategies.
WUF13 was met with great interest by the Turkish media from the very first day. Reputable media organizations of the brotherly country such as "Anadolu Ajansı", "Haber Global", "TRT Haber", "CNN Türk", "Yeni Şafak", "Milliyet", "Türkiye Gazetesi", "Akşam", "Star" and "İhlas Haber Ajansı" presented WUF13 as an important platform for the region and the world. The materials emphasized that Baku has become the center of international discussions in the fields of urbanization, "smart city", green energy, sustainable transport and combating climate change. The Turkish media also specifically noted Azerbaijan's professionalism and high logistics capabilities in organizing large-scale international events.
Leading Iranian media outlets such as IRNA, ISNA, "Mehr News", "Tasnim", "Fars News", ILNA, YJC and "Bultan News" also evaluated the forum in Baku as an important opportunity for international discussion of urban planning problems in developing countries. Iranian publications drew attention to the importance of the Baku forum in terms of regional cooperation, sustainable urban development and ecological approaches. The articles emphasized that Azerbaijan's "Green City" concept and modern urbanization practices were one of the main directions of the forum.
Pakistani media also gave extensive coverage to the Forum from the first day. The friendly country's APP Agency, "Radio Pakistan", DND, "The News", "Nation" and "Tribune" publications presented the forum as an important platform in terms of urbanization challenges and international partnership. The materials stated that the Pakistani delegation presented urban development strategies and urbanization projects in Baku.
Russian agencies TASS, "RIA Novosti", "Interfax", and publications "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" and "Vestnik Kavkaza" also highlighted Baku's growing role in the international urbanization agenda. At the same time, it was emphasized that by holding WUF13 now, after COP29 in November 2024, Azerbaijan once again demonstrated its ability to host a global international event. The news stated that the results of WUF13 will reshape international urban governance standards in the near future.
Indian publications "The Hindu", "Times of India", "Hindustan Times" and ANI Agency evaluated WUF13 as one of the main international platforms for global urban development policy. The Indian media emphasized that Azerbaijan organized the event at a high level, and Baku has become an important center for international cooperation in the field of urbanization.
Kazakhstan's "Kazinform" Agency, "Kazpravda", "24.kz" and "Egemen Qazaqstan" publications characterized WUF13 as an important platform for cooperation and experience for the Central Asian region.
Uzbekistan's UZA Agency, "Kun.uz", "Gazeta.uz" and "Yuz.uz" publications also wrote that the forum held in Baku played an important role in discussing sustainable urban development and innovative urbanization models.
Georgia's "Interpressnews", "1TV" and "BM.ge" publications evaluated the forum as an important international platform for the countries of the region.
Ukraine's "Ukrinform", "RBC-Ukraine" and "Interfax-Ukraine" agencies focused on issues of urban reconstruction, sustainable infrastructure and digital urbanization within the framework of the forum.
In Egypt's "Al-Ahram", "Youm7" and "Al Masry Al Youm" publications, the importance of the forum for the Middle East and Africa region was emphasized.
The United Arab Emirates' WAM Agency, "Al Ittihad" and "Emarat Al Youm" newspapers, as well as Saudi Arabia's SPA Agency, "Ar-Riyadh" and "Okaz" publications noted that Baku has become one of the main discussion venues for the global urban planning agenda.
China's "Xinhua", Indonesia's "Antara", Malaysia's "Bernama", Vietnam's VNA, USA's "Associated Press", France's AFP, Germany's DPA, Italy's ANSA, Spain's EFE agencies, Great Britain's BBC platform, as well as Tajikistan's "Khovar", Kyrgyzstan's "Kabar", Hungary's MTI and Bulgaria's BTA agencies also published extensive materials about WUF13.
Thus, the materials published in the international media emphasized that WUF13 was a decisive turning point in the history of modern urbanization. From the first day to the end of the Forum, the world press kept the innovative solutions presented by Azerbaijan on green development, "smart" cities and inclusive housing policy in the spotlight as a key priority of the global agenda. This information and the interest of the world media show that the Baku platform has become a unique dialogue center uniting the interests of all countries, regardless of their level of economic development, and Azerbaijan has once again confirmed its status as a strategic power center shaping the sustainable urban models of the future.
