On January 30, an international online event dedicated to WUF13 was held with the participation of 32 parliamentarians from 30 countries. The event focused on the “Role of Parliament in Advancing Resilient Cities and Sustainable Urban Development.”

The main purpose of the event was to brief participants on the main objectives and program of WUF13, as well as to encourage the participation of parliaments in the forum.

The event was organized at the initiative of Parvana Valiyeva, a member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Global Changemakers Academy for Parliamentarians (GCAP), in cooperation with the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture. Alongside parliamentarians, representatives of UN-Habitat and other specialized agencies also participated.

In her opening remarks, Member of Parliament Parvana Valiyeva expressed her gratitude to her international counterparts for supporting the initiative and for their participation in the meeting dedicated to WUF13. As a special guest at the opening session, the Hon. Cozier Frederick, Minister of the Environment, Rural Modernisation, and Kalinago Upliftment of the Commonwealth of Dominica, addressed the participants, sharing insights into the urbanization experiences of small island states, the challenges they face, and the steps taken by the Parliament of Dominica in developing building standards, zoning regulations, and planning systems.

During the event, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture presented an overview of WUF13, outlining Azerbaijan’s new initiatives within the forum, including a summit with the participation of heads of state and government, which will be organized for the first time at the World Urban Forum. The importance of parliamentary diplomacy in urban development forums was also emphasized.

Foreign parliamentarians participating in the discussion commended Azerbaijan for hosting WUF13 and for its rich urban development experience, and they submitted a joint appeal to the WUF13 National Coordinator, which states:

“We, parliamentarians representing 30 countries, recognize that cities lie at the heart of today’s most urgent global challenges and, at the same time, are a key element in addressing them. Rapid urbanization, climate risks, inequality, forced displacement, and the growing global housing crisis demand coordinated political leadership, legislative action, and sustained investment. We reaffirm that parliaments play a critical role in translating global urban commitments into national laws, policies, and financing mechanisms. We express our strong support for the Republic of Azerbaijan as the host of WUF13 and commend Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting global dialogue on sustainable urbanization and positioning cities as drivers of resilience, peace, and inclusive development.”

It should be noted that parliamentarians are one of the key stakeholder groups of the World Urban Forum.

 

AZERTAC

2026, February 3