On May 17–22, Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, will host its next major international event. The 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) of the United Nations (UN) will bring together thousands of participants from various countries, creating a global platform to discuss urban planning, sustainable development, and urbanization issues. Hosting this Forum in Azerbaijan is regarded as a significant event, demonstrating the strengthening of the country’s international standing and its increasingly active role in global processes.

The hosting of WUF13 in Azerbaijan holds great importance not only as an international event but also in terms of showcasing the country’s development model, cultural diversity, and urban transformation experience to the world.

 

AZERTAC reviews the core essence of the cultural tours to be organized for participants within the framework of WUF13. This program aims not only to efficiently organize participants’ free time but also to demonstrate concepts such as urban planning, cultural heritage, and regional development in a real-life environment. In this regard, the tours serve as a practical platform complementing the theoretical discussions of the Forum and providing participants with real-world spatial experience.

 

The Baku and Absheron model

Cultural tours are organized in various formats, offering participants a wide range of options. Some of these tours are conducted as full-day programs covering extensive routes throughout the day. Others are organized in a half-day format, providing an opportunity to visit specific locations within a shorter timeframe. Additionally, two-day tours including overnight stays facilitate travel to more distant regions, ensuring a deeper touristic experience. Each tour is structured according to a pre-determined route, and the number of participants is managed systematically to ensure the program is carried out efficiently and comfortably.

The duration of the tours generally ranges from 3 hours to 2 days. The number of participants is typically planned at between 10 and 20 people. Routes may cover both the capital, Baku, and various regions of Azerbaijan. Tours are organized for individuals or groups and are tailored to participants’ preferences and needs. Overall, the entire program is implemented in a pre-planned manner, with participants’ comfort, safety, and maximum experience as the main priorities.

It is natural for Baku to play a central role, as the city holds symbolic importance in terms of both history and modernity. Here, the parallel existence of the preserved historical structure of Icherisheher (Old City) alongside modern architecture creates an interesting urban planning model. This model demonstrates how a balance can be achieved between development and heritage preservation.

On the other hand, routes covering the Absheron Peninsula reveal how Azerbaijan’s natural resources and geological features are integrated with cultural identity. Sites such as the Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Reserve and the mud volcanoes are places where the earliest traces of human creativity merge with rare natural formations. This demonstrates to participants that urban development does not only take place within cities; it is closely linked to the environment, natural landscapes, and historical processes. This approach illustrates the principle of “human–nature harmony,” which holds an important place in modern urban planning discourse, through concrete examples.

 

The significance of cultural tours to Azerbaijan’s regions

Regarding regional tours, the selection of areas such as Guba, Shamakhi, Sheki, Gabala, and Lankaran is linked to both their historical significance and socio-economic potential. In these regions, participants will experience diverse lifestyles, cultural traditions, and forms of economic activity. For instance, visits to mountain villages present urban participants with an alternative life model, demonstrating that the urbanization process is not unidirectional. It reflects a process of mutual influence and adaptation rather than a simple shift from rural to urban.

At the same time, the demonstration of craftsmanship and local production traditions deserves special attention. Carpet weaving, sericulture, and other traditional sectors are presented not only as cultural heritage but also as sustainable forms of economic activity. This resonates with the modern concept of the “creative economy.” Thus, through these tours, participants observe not only the past but also how that heritage is integrated into the modern economic system.

The interactive elements of the program are among its distinguishing features. Bicycle tours, safaris, paragliding, and other active activities show that tourism is no longer limited to passive observation. This approach is based on an experience-oriented model in line with modern tourism concepts. Participants do not just see the locations; they experience them, feel them, and gain personal impressions, creating a stronger and more lasting impact.

The route organized to Shusha constitutes a special ideological and emotional layer of the program. Through this tour, the events of Azerbaijan’s recent history are presented through a geographical lens, showing that cultural tourism performs more than aesthetic and recreational functions—it also plays a role in shaping collective memory. Consequently, for participants, this trip is perceived not merely as a tourist route but as part of a broader historical and political context.

When all these elements are brought together, it becomes clear that the cultural tours organized within the framework of WUF13 are structured in a multi-layered and purposeful manner. Tourism, urban planning, cultural heritage, and economic development are all interconnected. This approach is part of Azerbaijan’s strategy of international self-presentation and serves to showcase the country’s complex identity.

These tours function as a “live presentation” of Azerbaijan rather than just an additional activity for Forum participants. They validate theoretical knowledge in a real environment, demonstrate the country’s diverse development models, and create an emotional connection between participants and the location.

 

AZERTAC

2026, May 1