President Ilham Aliyev highlighted Baku's urban transformation and sustainable development experience during the opening ceremony of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Cairo, Egypt. The head of state emphasized the transition of the capital from an industrial hub to a modern, green city.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the head of state addressed the environmental evolution of the capital. "Baku is the first city in the world where oil was produced in 1846. Throughout these years, environmental protection was not given sufficient attention, resulting in the pollution of the air and other areas. Locations in Baku such as the 'Black City', Bibiheybat, and Boyukshor—perhaps these names mean nothing to many, but if you have the time to visit and see how they looked 20 years ago compared to their appearance after the work performed, it demonstrates the scale of local urban initiatives," President Ilham Aliyev stated.
The World Urban Forum, convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), serves as the world's premier conference on municipal issues and sustainable urban growth. Azerbaijan's participation in WUF13 reflects the country's broader strategy of sustainable development, which includes the massive reconstruction efforts currently underway in the liberated territories of Garabagh and the ongoing ecological modernization of Baku's former industrial zones into vibrant urban spaces.
