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3rd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum opened in Khankendi-PHOTO-UPDATED

15 October 2025 15:19 (UTC +04:00)

The opening ceremony of the 3rd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum was held in the city of Khankendi, APA reports.

The opening ceremony began with the Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, Anar Guliyev, reading the address of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, to the Forum participants.

The head of state, drawing attention to the restoration and reconstruction works being carried out in the liberated territories, noted that the 3rd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum held in the city of Khankendi, as well as the 13th session of the World Urban Forum to be organized in Baku next year, are important steps towards creating a safe, comfortable, and sustainable urban environment.

Then, speaking, the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia Rossbach, stated that NUFA3 is an important opportunity for multilateral cooperation in the implementation of the global urban agenda and the building of sustainable cities, and that it holds strategic importance not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the entire region and the world. The Executive Director also expressed her satisfaction with the activities and support of the Government of Azerbaijan in the preparation processes for WUF13, which will be hosted by our country from May 17 to 22, 2026.

In his speech, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, Anar Guliyev, emphasized that the National Urban Forum, which brought together more than 200 participants from 64 countries, with a total of nearly 400 attendees, creates broad opportunities for experience exchange in the field of sustainable urban development and is significant in terms of Azerbaijan’s initiative to align its urbanization policy with international standards.

Later, a video address by the President of the UN-Habitat Assembly, Malaysia’s Minister of Housing and Local Government, Nga Kor Ming, was presented to the event participants.

At the end of the opening, the Forum participants came together for a group photo.

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10:53

The “3rd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum” is being held in Khankendi, jointly organized by the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), APA-Economics reports.

The Forum is dedicated to the theme “Towards Climate-Resilient and Healthy Cities: Regional Partnerships and Innovative Solutions” and is intended as part of the road leading to the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will be held in Baku in 2026.

Overall, the Forum, which will be held from October 15 to 17, is organized in the Khankendi–Baku format. The aim is to enhance the resilience of cities to climate change, promote healthy and inclusive urban development strategies, and strengthen international partnerships for the reconstruction and sustainable development of the Karabakh region.

Note that, along with government representatives, foreign officials from over 60 countries are participating in the Forum.