Baku to host World Urban Forum 13 in May

Baku will host the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum from May 17 to 22, 2026, marking the first time the major UN-Habitat event is held in the Caucasus region.

The forum, co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, will take place under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” Convened every two years, the World Urban Forum is regarded as one of the leading international platforms dedicated to urbanization, housing, sustainable planning and the future of cities.

The event is expected to bring together architects, urban planners, policymakers, researchers, representatives of local governments, civil society organizations and international institutions. Around 30,000 participants are expected to attend, with nearly 25,000 people from 178 countries already registered. The forum will be held at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

This year’s session will focus on the global housing crisis and the role of housing in building inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities. According to data cited by the organizers, nearly 3 billion people worldwide face some form of housing inadequacy, more than 1.1 billion live in informal settlements or slums, and over 300 million people face homelessness.

Against this backdrop, WUF13 will approach housing not only as a social necessity, but also as a key framework for addressing climate adaptation, inequality, infrastructure, governance and long-term urban resilience.

The forum will take place at the midpoint of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and is expected to contribute to the 2026 report of the UN Secretary-General on its progress.

The program will include dialogues, assemblies, ministerial meetings, exhibitions, networking events, partner-led sessions and an Urban Expo showcasing urban innovations, design strategies and research initiatives.

A central part of the forum will be the six WUF13 Dialogues, which will examine housing through social, environmental and economic dimensions. The topics include the global housing crisis, transformation of informal settlements and slums, housing in crisis recovery and reconstruction, the climate-housing nexus, the social and economic power of housing, and new approaches to housing finance.

The wider program will also feature special sessions on inclusive urban resilience, sustainable tourism, blue economies, healthy homes, circular economies, affordable housing investment, climate adaptation, cultural heritage and urban regeneration.

New formats will also be introduced during WUF13. The Practices Hub will present tested urban solutions and case studies from cities and institutions around the world, while the WUF Academy will host learning sessions organized by universities, training institutes and partner organizations. The Urban Expo and Media Hub will provide additional spaces for exhibitions, live broadcasts and research presentations.

During the forum, the International Union of Architects and UN-Habitat will also announce the winners of the third cycle of the UIA 2030 Award. Established in 2021, the biennial award recognizes built projects that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG11 and the New Urban Agenda.

The hosting of WUF13 coincides with Azerbaijan’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture.” The initiative reflects the country’s focus on urban development, architectural culture and sustainable planning both in Baku and in regional cities.

Baku, where the historic core of Icherisheher stands alongside modern large-scale developments, will serve as a symbolic venue for discussions on how cities can respond to the challenges of the 21st century, from housing and climate change to social inclusion, infrastructure and cultural heritage preservation.