The Government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have officially established the new global Baku Urban Award. The announcement was made by the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company to the Operative Information Center-OMM.
The official presentation ceremony for the Baku Urban Award took place within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). Initiated by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan in collaboration with UN-Habitat, the international award aims to promote and scale advanced urban planning solutions in the fields of sustainable urban development and affordable housing.
The Baku Urban Award is designed as a global platform focused on the international promotion of practical urban solutions with potential for long-term social, economic, and environmental impact. Intended to be a primary legacy of WUF13, the award will serve as a permanent international mechanism promoting the global urban agenda beyond the forum's timeframe.
The initiative integrates three core pillars: practical solutions already implemented by urban planning professionals, expert knowledge and science-based approaches, and the integration of successful practices into national and international policies. Evaluation will be conducted by an independent jury of leading international experts in architecture, urban planning, housing, climate resilience, finance, and civil society. The platform remains open to participants from all regions of the world.
The establishment of this award reflects Azerbaijan's long-term commitment to the global urban and climate agenda. This commitment is further evidenced by Azerbaijan hosting COP29, the introduction of the "Multisectoral Action Pathways (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities" and the "Baku Resilience Coalition" initiatives, co-chairing the UN-Habitat Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on "Affordable Housing for All," and Baku serving as the host city for WUF13.
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat has developed consistently since the establishment of the Azerbaijan National Urban Forum in 2022. This partnership includes joint projects in urban development, the organization of three National Urban Forums in the Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions, and the 2023 World Habitat Day events held in Baku. These efforts underscore Azerbaijan's strategic role in fostering sustainable urbanization and regional reconstruction following the liberation of its territories.
