The first-ever "WUF13 NGO Forum" was held on the initiative of Azerbaijan, organized by the Azerbaijani NGO Agency in partnership with the "Global South NGO Platform" (GSNP), which unites NGOs from 116 countries.
At the opening ceremony, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach stated that this Forum is a historic event for WUF. She emphasized the important role of civil society in urban planning and decision-making.
Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan promotes cooperation between the Global North and South through active diplomacy. He highlighted that new cities are being built in Karabakh and East Zangazur, and Azerbaijan is ready to share its experience.
Former UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif said that the future of cities should be shaped by local communities and civil society. She stressed the principle "think global, act local and apply local."
Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation Dima Al-Khatib called GSNP a fantastic project and congratulated Azerbaijan. She noted that over half of the world's population lives in cities, facing climate change, water crises, and other challenges.
The forum was attended by nearly 800 NGO representatives.
