WUF13 continues to generate broad international media response

Although the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku, has ended, the broad international media response generated by the event continues.

Report informs that materials published by influential media outlets and official platforms in various countries are giving extensive coverage to global urbanization challenges, sustainable urban development and climate change initiatives discussed as part of the forum. At the same time, special emphasis is placed on Azerbaijan's high-level hosting of WUF13, the event's organizational preparations and Baku's transformation into an international dialogue platform.

Pakistani media, which gave broad coverage to WUF13 from its first days, continues to keep the issues discussed in the spotlight. Materials published by the country's Hum English, The Nation and The Diplomatic Insight emphasized that climate justice, sustainable settlements and urbanization issues were widely discussed as part of WUF13. The articles noted that Baku had become an important platform for global urban development dialogue and that Azerbaijan had held the event at a high level. Pakistani officials' calls at the forum to increase international attention to the urban development problems of developing countries were particularly highlighted in the reports.

Mexican publications La Razón, Noticias de México and Hoja de Ruta Digital widely covered the official handover of the baton for hosting the next forum to Mexico City during a solemn ceremony as part of WUF13, which successfully concluded in Baku. The reports described this transition not only as strengthening the Mexican capital's position as a reference point in global urban transformation, but also as the beginning of a new strategic stage for future urban development policies.

Kazakh media resources such as Inform.kz, Smartnews.kz, Adyrna.kz, Kazinform, KZ Vesti and KZ24 noted that special attention was paid at WUF13 to the Caspian region, urbanization and sustainable development. The articles emphasized Azerbaijan's active participation in the global urbanization agenda and Baku's transformation into an international dialogue venue. They also reported that representatives from various regions of Kazakhstan actively participated in discussions on modern urban development and urbanization issues at the forum. Kazakh representatives were also said to have raised the issue of the sharp decline in the level of the Caspian Sea and the worsening environmental situation, stressing the importance of joint action by Caspian littoral states and increased international attention to the issue.

Materials published on the official portal of Egypt's Ministry of Housing and Urban Development said the country presented its social housing provision and housing programs for low-income populations at WUF13. The articles noted that Baku successfully hosted the large-scale international event.

Materials published on MRUD News, a portal affiliated with Iran's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, emphasized that issues of urban development and regional cooperation were discussed as part of WUF13. The article noted the high level of international participation at the forum successfully held in Baku.

A report by Saudi Arabia's SPA agency said the country's delegation presented the Kingdom's advanced experience in forming an inclusive and sustainable urban environment to the international community as part of WUF13. It also emphasized that the forum hosted by Azerbaijan was a strategic platform strengthening international cooperation in response to global urban development challenges.

China's Xinhua agency, which gave particularly extensive coverage to WUF13, drew attention to the fact that international discussions on the future of cities, sustainable development and housing accessibility were held at this major event.

A material published on India's Manorama Yearbook portal said WUF13 played an important role in shaping the development agenda for global urban development, noting that representatives from around the world held discussions in Baku on urban development challenges.

Montenegro's DAN publication covered the participation of the country's delegation in the Baku forum. The report emphasized that Montenegro presented its national housing programs and projects at the forum in Baku.

Ukrainian portals TSN.ua and Sq.com.ua highlighted the importance of a new housing policy in Ukraine's post-war recovery, noting that the mayor of Kharkiv presented practical architectural and infrastructure solutions for the city's restoration.

Russia's ATI.su portal touched on prospects for growth in freight transit in Azerbaijan thanks to new transport corridors. The article emphasized the strengthening of Baku's role as a regional logistics and international cooperation hub.

Nigeria's The Sun Nigeria portal noted that the forum, attended by tens of thousands of participants, gave new momentum to global housing provision. South Africa's Channel Africa publication drew attention to the global housing crisis at the Baku forum and reported on the event's outcomes. Bahrain's News of Bahrain publication reflected discussions held by the country's delegation at the forum on housing projects and urban development. Eswatini's Independent News newspaper focused on the Baku Call to Action adopted at the end of WUF13. The article said calls to strengthen international commitments against the global housing crisis were among the main outcomes of the forum.

Tanzania's Daily News publication said the country actively exchanged experience at WUF13 on building sustainable and resilient cities, while Myanmar International TV reported on discussions at the forum on the inclusive development of cities. Materials published on internationally distributed platforms such as Parametric Architecture, Pressenza and Commonspace.eu highlighted WUF13's contribution to the global urbanization agenda, Azerbaijan's urban development and reconstruction policy in the post-conflict period, and Baku's role as a center of international cooperation. The articles noted that the forum created opportunities for the formation of new initiatives on sustainable urban development.