A seminar titled "Sustainable management of events in football organization" was held in Baku on April 23 as part of preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). The session focused on the application of the AZS ISO 20121:2026 "Event sustainability management systems" state standard in sports events, marking the first awareness-raising session of its kind in the country.
According to information provided by the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the seminar was organized in cooperation with the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA). The event was attended by staff from AFFA, the Professional Football League (PFL), the Football Development Fund (FİF), and representatives from Misli Premier League and First League clubs. During the opening ceremony, Kamran Valiyev, Deputy General Secretary of AFFA, announced that the 13th session of the World Urban Forum will take place in the capital from May 17 to 22. He emphasized that the forum is one of the most prestigious international platforms for discussing sustainable development, inclusivity, and modern management principles.
Gulshan Rzayeva, Deputy Head of the Administration of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and Deputy National Coordinator of WUF13, highlighted that sports play a crucial role in urban development and planning. She noted that sports serve as a key urban service that promotes inclusivity, supports healthy lifestyles, and strengthens the resilience of settlements. The implementation of the AZS ISO 20121:2026 state standard provides the necessary institutional framework to ensure that events held in Azerbaijan are planned and managed in accordance with sustainability principles. This approach is expected to have a positive environmental impact on the urban ecosystem and contribute to a new culture within the event industry.
The WUF13 event will be organized based on environmental and inclusive principles, with the Baku Olympic Stadium selected as the venue to utilize existing infrastructure and ensure efficient resource management. During the seminar, presentations were also delivered by Jamila Ismayilzada, Afghan Mehtiyev, and Tural Mammadov from the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company, alongside experts from EY Azerbaijan. Discussions covered topics such as the integration of sports into urban planning, the role of accountability in football tournaments, and risk management for successful event execution.
