President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has expressed his deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the excellent organization of the conference in Baku and the warm hospitality extended to the participants. Speaking during the Leaders' Statements at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), Mirziyoyev emphasized that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan, and particularly the Garabagh region, is undergoing a period of rapid and large-scale development. He noted that in a short span of time, entire cities have been restored in the liberated territories, with new residential complexes and modern infrastructure facilities being established.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the Uzbek leader stated that Uzbekistan is ready to make a worthy contribution to these noble initiatives. Addressing global challenges, Shavkat Mirziyoyev remarked that the agenda for safe and sustainable cities remains highly relevant. "According to analysis, by the middle of the 21st century, approximately 70 percent of the world's population will live in cities. At the same time, urbanization exacerbates a number of social problems. Today, nearly 3 billion people worldwide are deprived of adequate housing conditions, with more than 1 billion living in informal settlements and slums, and over 300 million having no shelter at all," the President said, adding that climate change and economic crises are creating new waves of global migration.
The World Urban Forum (WUF), established by the United Nations, serves as the premier global platform for discussing sustainable urban development and the challenges of rapid urbanization. The hosting of such high-level discussions in Baku highlights Azerbaijan's growing role as a center for international diplomatic and humanitarian dialogue. Uzbekistan has already demonstrated its commitment to the restoration of Azerbaijan's liberated territories through practical cooperation, including the construction of a school in Fuzuli, which stands as a symbol of the fraternal relations and strategic partnership between the two nations.
