The opening ceremony of the "Urban Expo" exhibition was held on May 18 as part of the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for City Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and national coordinator of WUF13, alongside Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).
Spanning 3.5 hectares, the "Urban Expo" brings together more than 217 organizations from 66 countries. The exhibition serves as a dynamic platform for governments, civil society, academia, international organizations, and private sector representatives to exchange ideas, propose initiatives, and establish partnerships under the WUF13 theme: "Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Settlements."
The "Urban Expo" is an immersive exhibition introducing participants to practical solutions for the global housing crisis. It showcases diverse approaches ranging from large national pavilions to community-based initiatives and startup innovations in fields such as housing provision, climate resilience, digital innovation, accessibility, and inclusive urban planning. Additionally, the newly established "Business and Innovation Hub" features 45 companies and 14 startup projects.
A central element of the expo is the WUF13 Boulevard, a 2.5-hectare open-air space designed for networking, informal discussions, and mutual communication. Here, participants can explore various exhibition and program spaces, including the "Urban Library," "Urban Cinema," and the "WUF Academy."
The World Urban Forum, established by the United Nations in 2001, is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization. Held biennially, the forum examines the most pressing issues facing the world today, including rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, and climate change. Azerbaijan's hosting of such a high-level international event underscores the country's growing role in global urban development and its commitment to implementing the New Urban Agenda.
