Sixth Day of WUF13: Baku Concludes Global Forum and Hands Chairmanship to Mexico

The sixth and final day of the World Urban Forum WUF13 in Baku marked the symbolic conclusion of one of the world’s largest international platforms dedicated to urbanization, housing, and sustainable development. After nearly a week of discussions on climate resilience, transport infrastructure, urban reconstruction, and affordable housing, the forum ended with a closing ceremony and the official transfer of the forum’s chairmanship from Azerbaijan to Mexico.

Organized jointly by the government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme UN-Habitat, the forum was held in Baku from May 17 to May 22 under the slogan “Housing for Peace: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Communities.” According to organizers, WUF13 brought together more than 53,000 registered participants, including heads of state, ministers, mayors, architects, urban planners, international financial institutions, and representatives of civil society.

The central event of the final day was the closing ceremony, during which Azerbaijan officially handed over the chairmanship of the World Urban Forum to Mexico, the next host country of WUF14. The symbolic transfer ceremony was attended by representatives of UN-Habitat, Azerbaijani officials, and the Mexican delegation.

Representatives of Mexico thanked Azerbaijan for hosting the forum and stated that they intended to continue advancing the global agenda on sustainable urban development during the next session of WUF. The ceremony also included the lowering of the WUF13 flag, symbolizing the conclusion of the Baku forum and the beginning of preparations for the next forum under Mexico’s chairmanship.

One of the main outcomes of the forum was the “Baku Call to Action,” a final document calling for accelerated efforts to address the global housing crisis, modernize urban infrastructure, and strengthen cities’ resilience to climate and humanitarian challenges. Throughout the week, participants discussed rising housing costs, the expansion of informal settlements, environmental threats, and the need for more inclusive urban governance.

For Azerbaijan, hosting WUF13 became an important diplomatic and image-building project. The authorities used the forum as a platform to showcase reconstruction projects in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, “smart city” concepts, digital cadastral systems, and sustainable urban redevelopment initiatives. Particular attention was also given to humanitarian demining, presented as a key prerequisite for the safe return of residents and the reconstruction of cities.(Apa.az)

During the closing ceremony, UN-Habitat representatives emphasized that WUF13 had become one of the largest forums in the history of the event. According to organizers, the forum hosted 579 sessions, while the Urban Expo featured around 260 exhibitions and innovative projects related to urban planning and infrastructure.

Although the World Urban Forum does not adopt legally binding decisions, it is considered one of the key platforms where the global intellectual and political agenda on urbanization is shaped. Hosting WUF13 strengthened Baku’s position as an international venue not only for discussions on energy and climate, but also for debates on urban development, infrastructure, and post-conflict reconstruction.