WUF13 in Baku to advance COP29 climate agenda — Azerbaijani ambassador

Achieving global climate goals is impossible without sustainable urban development, and in this context the 13th session of the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) in Baku will serve as a continuation of the climate agenda discussed at COP29, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Sweden, Zaur Ahmadov, said in an article published in Global Bar Magazine, according to Report.

Ahmadov said following the COP29 climate conference hosted by Azerbaijan in 2024, the country found itself at the center of the global climate discussion, with a particular focus on climate action, energy transition, and international cooperation. However, he stressed that the climate agenda cannot be separated from urbanization and urban development issues, making the hosting of WUF13 in Baku a logical continuation of the discussions launched during the climate summit.

Ahmadov noted that the world is currently facing a large-scale housing crisis, with nearly three billion people living in inadequate conditions. At the same time, around 70% of the global population is projected to live in cities by 2050. Under these circumstances, housing, infrastructure, social integration, and sustainable development are becoming key priorities not only for developing nations, but also for Europe, including Sweden.

"Climate goals - from the Paris Agreement to national strategies - cannot be achieved without sustainable cities," the diplomat emphasized.

According to him, energy-efficient buildings, sustainable mobility, the use of circular materials, and adaptation to climate change all begin with effective urban planning. He added that WUF13 will provide a platform where climate, housing, financing, and social sustainability issues can be addressed within a unified framework.

The ambassador also highlighted Sweden's experience in sustainable urban development, noting that initiatives such as Viable Cities and Vinnova, as well as projects involving the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Lund University, have already become part of global models for climate-neutral cities. He said the experiences of Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö are widely referenced in international discussions on the future of urban development.

Ahmadov also recalled the deep historical ties between Sweden and Baku in the fields of industrial and urban development. According to him, in the 19th century, the Nobel brothers played a significant role in transforming Baku into a modern industrial center.

He noted that the first modern oil tanker, Zoroaster, entered service in Baku in 1878, while some of the region's earliest pipelines were also built there, fundamentally reshaping energy transportation systems. In addition, Ericsson established one of the region's first telephone lines as early as 1881.

The ambassador stressed that these historical ties are now being carried forward through Azerbaijani-Swedish cooperation in digitalization and smart city development.

According to Ahmadov, the world is entering a new phase of urbanization, where climate change, conflicts, and economic inequality are intensifying migration to cities and placing additional strain on infrastructure. Extreme weather events are damaging housing and communications networks, while rising living costs and insufficient planning are exacerbating the housing crisis. At the same time, studies show that access to quality housing directly affects public health, education, and economic development.

He noted that WUF13 will serve as an international platform to discuss not only housing construction, but also financing mechanisms, governance, innovation, and social integration. Key topics on the forum's agenda include investment in affordable housing, the integration of informal settlements, and improving urban resilience to climate change.

"WUF13 in Baku is more than just an international forum. It is an opportunity to shape the next stage of global transformation, where historical experience, modern innovation, and a vision for the future come together," Ahmadov emphasized.