The organization of the NGO Forum within the framework of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) carries particular significance as the Azerbaijani government continues to prioritize the development of civil society institutions. Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, emphasized that the formation of sustainable, resilient, and human-centered cities is unattainable without the active participation of civil society.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Hajiyev made these remarks during an event titled "NGO Forum: Global Partnerships and Decision-Making." He stated that the involvement of the NGO community is essential for the integrity of such international platforms, noting that their perspectives, contributions, and recommendations are highly valued by the state leadership.
"The state provides extensive support to NGOs in Azerbaijan through the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations. This includes increasing financial opportunities, implementing training programs, and fostering institutional development and capacity building. We extensively utilize the knowledge and experience of NGOs in the process of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Hajiyev added.
The World Urban Forum, established by the United Nations, serves as the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization. Azerbaijan's active engagement in these forums reflects its commitment to integrating public sector feedback into national urban planning and development strategies. The Agency for State Support to NGOs, mentioned by Hajiyev, was established to modernize the sector and ensure a transparent mechanism for funding public initiatives in Azerbaijan.
