A large-scale monitoring of vehicle movement will be conducted in Baku as part of preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). According to information provided by the WUF13 Operating Company to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the exercise is organized jointly with relevant government agencies to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow management during the global event scheduled for May 17–22, 2026.
The monitoring process will take place on May 1, between 10:00 and 16:00, during which temporary traffic regulations will be applied across several key streets and avenues in the capital. The simulation will cover Neftchilar Avenue, Yusif Safarov Street, portions of Heydar Aliyev Avenue (up to the Sabunchu bridge), Mehdi Huseyn Street, Khojaly Avenue, Richard Sorge Street, Zarifa Aliyeva Street, Lermontov Street, and routes leading toward the Baku Olympic Stadium, which serves as the primary event venue.
The WUF13 Operating Company has requested drivers and other road users to plan their trips in advance, account for potential congestion in these directions, and utilize alternative routes. Despite the restrictions, the H1 express bus route operating between Heydar Aliyev International Airport and the city center will continue its service without interruption. Private vehicles and taxis will also maintain access to the airport via alternative roads. This systematic approach to transport management has been successfully implemented in Azerbaijan over the last decade during preparations for various high-profile global summits and international events.
The World Urban Forum, established by the United Nations, is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization. Hosting WUF13 in Baku underscores Azerbaijan's growing role as a hub for international diplomacy and its commitment to urban development. The forum is expected to bring together thousands of delegates, including government officials, urban planners, and civil society representatives, to discuss the future of cities and sustainable living environments.
