Euronews: Azerbaijan finalizes extensive preparations for WUF13

Azerbaijan is finalizing preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), ensuring the coordination of infrastructure, transport, security systems and services to receive the event's international participants.

Report informs that this was stated in a Euronews story.

The broadcaster noted that large-scale coordination work involving state agencies and international partners is being carried out in the country to ensure the uninterrupted organization of events during the forum.

"The main task is to ensure that all events comply with UN standards," Jamila Ismayilzada, head of the content department at the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company, said.

Narmin Abdullayeva, deputy head of WUF13's communications department, said the forum would include 40 main sessions, 350 events organized by partners, and the Urban Expo exhibition. The venue includes the WUF13 Boulevard zone and functional sectors for UN structures, government agencies, media representatives and participants. According to her, more than 28,000 participants and nearly 1,000 media accreditation applications have been registered.

The broadcaster emphasized that the 13th session of the World Urban Forum will draw international attention to Baku, and the Olympic Stadium, which opened in 2015, will become one of the main venues for major international events.

Commenting on the venue's features, Ismayilzada noted that it is not a traditional conference center, so an individual approach was needed to create solutions for media representatives, the public, conference halls and protocol zones.

As the World Urban Forum is being held for the first time in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia, Azerbaijan's priority and challenge was to ensure the participation of all players in the region, she said.

The story also noted that improved infrastructure and transport planning will allow participants to move freely between the main venues.

Fuad Jafarli, director of the Transport Planning Department at the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency, said participants will be able to use bank cards via NFC, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

He said 112 km of dedicated lanes were currently operating in the city center and were being expanded as WUF13 approached.

Jafarli added that the fleet had been increased by 200 electric buses in 2024, and that by 2026 their number had already reached 450.

Special attention has been paid to security issues. A representative of Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry stressed that ensuring the safety of guests during WUF13 is a priority. He also noted that both traditional security measures and digital monitoring systems are being applied, while police officers ensure a balance between security and openness.

Rashad Aliyev, deputy CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, said more than 20 special tours covering Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan have been prepared for forum participants.

He said more than 150 certified guides would accompany guests, adding that every participant is a potential tourist and that they are trying to present the country as well as possible.

Gumru Mammadova, a representative of the Icherisheher reserve, said in turn that this is an opportunity to strengthen the status of Baku's cultural center as living heritage.

"Our approach combines the protection of the urban environment with its active use. Restoration work is aimed not only at preserving the walls, but also at creating spaces for art and public leisure so that Icherisheher remains not a museum, but a living district," she said.

WUF13 will be held in Baku on May 17-22. The forum is organized in close cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and is aimed at exchanging international experience in sustainable urban development, smart cities and innovative urban solutions.

Euronews: Azerbaijan finalizes extensive preparations for WUF13