Baku became one of the world's main political dialogue hubs on urbanization, housing security, and sustainable development. The Forum, attended by over 57,000 participants from 176 countries, differed from its predecessors in both scale and decisions taken.
WUF13 made history in Baku. One of the most notable aspects was that urban planning, for the first time, moved beyond technical discussions to the level of political leaders. The Leaders' Declarations Session, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, brought a new format to the global urbanization agenda.
This approach showed that the future of cities is no longer just about architecture and infrastructure but a broad strategic issue ranging from security and economy to climate and social stability. Azerbaijan's post-conflict reconstruction policy was particularly highlighted during the Forum.
New settlements built in liberated territories, 'Smart City' and 'Smart Village' models, and ecological approaches were assessed by international participants as a modern example of restoration. In fact, the Baku Forum demonstrated that Azerbaijan not only rebuilds destroyed areas but also attempts to build the city model of the future.
The 'Baku Call to Action' document adopted within WUF13 is considered the main political outcome of the Forum. It emphasizes the importance of turning calls related to the housing crisis, climate risks, and sustainable urban development into practical steps. This shows that Baku is not just a host but also an actor contributing to shaping the global agenda.
Another important aspect of the Forum was the further strengthening of Azerbaijan's image as a reliable partner for international platforms. The high-level organization of WUF13, following COP29, demonstrated that Baku is becoming a strategic center for global events.
Another notable point is that the information campaigns by Armenian circles against Azerbaijan remained ineffective against the backdrop of this Forum. International representatives assessed the construction work in the liberated territories as an important model for post-conflict recovery.
Thus, WUF13 was not remembered merely as a forum about cities. Through this platform, Baku sent a message of global cooperation and presented Azerbaijan's new development model to the world.
