One of the key distinguishing features of WUF13 will be high-level political participation, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator of WUF13, said during his speech at the official opening press conference held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, APA-Economics reports.
He noted that, for the first time in the history of the World Urban Forum, a leaders’ segment bringing together heads of state and government will be organized: “Together with UN-Habitat, Azerbaijan will introduce a new international initiative — the ‘Baku City Award’ — which will recognize outstanding achievements in sustainable urban development, particularly in the field of housing. WUF13 will leave an important legacy beyond the forum itself.
Alongside numerous initiatives and policy outcomes, operational excellence is also a key factor in the successful organization of the World Urban Forum.
Based on the ‘Baku standards’ developed by the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company, we plan, together with UN-Habitat, to prepare an informative operational guide for countries that will host future World Urban Forums.”
