Azerbaijan will host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) at Baku Olympic Stadium from 17 to 22 May 2026.
Thousands of participants, including government leaders, urban planners, policymakers, private sector representatives, civil society, academics and UN agencies, will come together to address one of the world’s most pressing challenges: the global housing crisis affecting 2.8 billion people.
Under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities”, WUF13 will focus on accelerating the provision of quality, affordable, and climate-resilient housing.
The six-day forum will feature the Urban Expo, where countries, cities, businesses, and organisations will showcase innovative solutions for sustainable urban living.
Convened by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Government of Azerbaijan, the Forum will explore how cities can lead in delivering inclusive, resilient, and affordable housing solutions.
Housing is a fundamental human right, yet shortages of adequate housing affect not only the most vulnerable but also the middle class.
Climate change, conflict, and humanitarian emergencies intensify the crisis. Urgent action is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 11, which calls for safe and resilient cities for all.
Importantly, the issue of affordable housing is of particular relevance to Kenya — both due to the significant challenges faced in the country and the scale of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, which is recognised as one of the most ambitious and active initiatives on the continent aimed at addressing housing shortages.
Housing by the numbers
• 2.8 billion people face housing inadequacy.
• 1.1 billion live in slums or informal settlements.
• Over 300 million are homeless.
• By 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in cities.
• 96,000 new affordable housing units are needed daily to meet 2030 demand.
• Climate disasters could destroy 167 million homes by 2040.
“Baku is proud to host WUF13, bringing together leaders and innovators to accelerate the provision of quality, affordable housing. Housing is not just a policy goal, it is a human right and a cornerstone of development, essential for resilient, thriving communities,” said H.E. Sultan Hajiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kenya and Representative of Azerbaijan to UN-Habitat.
Programme highlights
• High-level dialogues on the housing crisis, slum transformation, urban recovery, the climate-housing nexus, housing finance, and economic impacts.
• The Practices Hub, showcasing tested solutions from cities worldwide.
• Press briefings, media zones, and interview opportunities with high-profile speakers.
• The Baku Call to Action, a united statement on accelerating solutions to the housing crisis.
Baku bridges East and West, blending rich cultural heritage with modern urban development.
Once an oil capital, it is transforming into a smart, sustainable, climate-resilient city, mirroring WUF13’s vision for inclusive, modern urban living.
