Baku, 18 May 2026 — The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) is underway in Baku with the first day of the Forum bringing together more than 21,000 participants from 162 countries for the world’s largest gathering focused on sustainable urban development.
Following Sunday’s five dedicated stakeholder Assemblies, this week will see more than 470 events bringing together governments, local leaders, community organizations, academia, businesses and practitioners to exchange ideas and identify solutions under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.”
“Never before has a forum of this nature brought together such a vast and diverse global audience – reflecting the growing recognition that housing and sustainable urban development are central to our collective future,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat at the opening of the Urban Expo. “We share the conviction that housing must move from the margins of policy to the centre of global action.”
© Elgun Zaman
WUF will culminate in the adoption of the Baku Call to Action, which provides a roadmap for Member States to act on the global housing crisis.
Opening ceremony elevates global commitments
With an opening address from Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, extolling his country’s centuries-old urban heritage and recent modernization, the official opening ceremony brought together heads of state and government, ministers, mayors and senior representatives from across the international community to formally launch WUF13 in Baku. The Forum is the second-largest event in Azerbaijan’s history following COP29 in 2024.
© Elgun Zaman
Speakers highlighted the scale and urgency of today’s urban challenges, from housing shortages and inequality to climate pressures and rapid urbanization, while emphasizing the need to accelerate practical action, strengthen partnerships and place housing at the centre of sustainable development.
Record-breaking Urban Expo
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the launch of the largest Urban Expo ever held at the World Urban Forum. Spanning 35,000 square metres, the Expo brings together more than 217 organizations from 66 countries, creating a global platform where governments, cities, civil society, academia, international organizations and the private sector can showcase solutions and exchange experiences on sustainable urban development and housing. This year’s edition also marks the highest participation of civil society organizations in WUF history, with 96 organizations and foundations represented across dedicated clusters and shared pavilions focused on social inclusion, accessibility and human rights.
New spaces drive innovation and implementation
For the first time, WUF13 introduces the Business & Innovation Hub, bringing together private sector actors and partners to exchange ideas, showcase practical solutions and build partnerships across the urban value chain. The Hub also features a Startup Pavilion, where 14 selected startups from 10 countries are presenting innovative approaches and technologies that can help advance housing and sustainable urban development.
© Nico
Also new this edition, the WUF Academy provides a dedicated space for universities, research institutions and practitioners to exchange knowledge, host trainings and strengthen capacity in the fields of housing and sustainable urban development.
Another addition is the Practices Hub, where participants can connect directly with real-world housing solutions already delivering results on the ground. Featuring 171 selected practices from 84 countries, the Hub brings together experiences from governments, civil society, the private sector and other partners through interactive sessions and digital displays, enabling participants to explore tested approaches, exchange lessons learned and discover ideas that can be adapted across different contexts. Beginning on Tuesday, 19 May, the Hub will also host a series of events and discussions designed to connect participants directly with the people and practices driving implementation on the ground.
© Elgun Zaman
“We were thinking about how this public space of the World Urban Forum could serve as a global asset to address the housing challenge that we face,” said Rossbach. “It is a space for us to bring together the knowledge and know-how that we need to overcome the housing crisis.”
As WUF13 continues throughout the week, attention now turns from identifying challenges to accelerating solutions. From high-level dialogues and stakeholder discussions to new spaces focused on learning, innovation and implementation, the Forum will continue exploring how commitments can be translated into practical action for cities and communities worldwide.
Cover photo: © Elgun Zaman