More than 38,000 participants have officially registered for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the figures were disclosed by Katerina Bezgachina, Communications Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), during a press briefing held for media representatives as part of the forum's proceedings.
Bezgachina noted that the event has attracted a diverse range of stakeholders, with delegates representing more than 175 countries. The forum serves as a high-level platform for discussing the challenges of rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, and climate change. The significant turnout underscores the growing global commitment to addressing urban development issues through international cooperation and sustainable policy-making.
The World Urban Forum, established by the United Nations in 2001, is the world's premier conference on urban issues. It is held biennially to examine the most pressing issues facing the world today in the area of human settlements. Azerbaijan has been an active participant in these global dialogues, consistently aligning its national urban planning strategies with international standards and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The participation of a broad spectrum of government officials, NGOs, and urban experts at WUF13 highlights the collective effort required to foster resilient and inclusive urban environments worldwide.