For the first time in the history of the World Urban Forum (WUF), the “WUF13 NGO Forum” was held on May 19, 2026, organized by Azerbaijan’s Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations and in partnership with the “Global South NGO Platform” (GSNP), which unites NGOs from 116 countries, APA reports.
During the opening ceremony of the “WUF13 NGO Forum,” Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anacláudia Rossbach stated that the forum is a historic event for WUF. She emphasized the important role of civil society in urban planning issues and decision-making processes.
Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said Azerbaijan has become an important platform for promoting cooperation and effective dialogue between the Global North and the Global South through active diplomacy. According to him, civil society provides additional momentum for building trust between the Global South and the Global North.
Hikmat Hajiyev recalled that the GSNP General Assembly was held in Baku several days ago as a vivid example of this cooperation. He stressed that new cities are being built and life is being revived in the mine-contaminated and urbicide-affected territories of Karabakh and East Zangazur, adding that Azerbaijan is ready to share its experience with foreign partners.
Former Executive Director of UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif stated that the future of cities should be shaped not only by governments, but also through the participation of local communities and civil society. Addressing NGOs, she underlined the importance of the principle “think globally, act locally and implement locally.” Maimunah Mohd Sharif highly appreciated the gathering of hundreds of local and foreign NGOs in Azerbaijan to discuss urban development issues.
Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Dima Al-Khatib described the “Global South NGO Platform” as a fantastic initiative and congratulated Azerbaijan on its establishment in Baku. She noted that important issues were discussed at the forum organized in partnership with GSNP. Dima Al-Khatib pointed out that more than half of the world’s population already lives in cities and that this figure will reach 70% by 2050. According to her, cities in the Global South are increasingly facing pressure related to climate change, water crises, migration, housing shortages and infrastructure gaps.
Member of the WUF13 Organizing Committee and Chairperson of the Board of Azerbaijan’s NGO Agency Aygun Aliyeva stated that the institution she represents will continue contributing to the establishment of healthy relations between local and foreign NGOs, including the development of cooperation in urban planning.
Former Secretary of the UN-Habitat Governing Board Christian Mensah congratulated GSNP for creating a civil society hub for local and foreign NGOs at WUF13. He said that under the current complex international environment, the “Bandung principles” are regaining relevance and that this event is a real manifestation of applying those principles through cooperation and multilateral partnership.
Deputy Secretary-General of GSNP for the Latin America region and former Foreign Minister of Ecuador Luis Gallegos emphasized that global partnership should not be limited only to states, and that international organizations, the private sector, NGOs, local communities, academic circles and other stakeholders should also participate in the process.
Following the opening ceremony, a panel discussion titled “Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Development” was held. Moderated by Azerbaijani MP Nigar Arpadarai, the panel featured speeches by Eliud Emeri, representative of Kenya’s “TUBAE” and “CgoK” organizations, Laila Al Hadhrami, chairperson of Oman’s “Women of Future Cities” organization and expert on futurism and smart cities, Melvine Wajiri Lynwe, chairperson of the Central African Republic’s “PEP Africa” (Pan-African Empowerment Platform), GSNP Secretary-General Fuad Karimli, and Zarina Mirabdullayeva, Regional Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia of the UN Volunteers Programme.
During the discussions, it was proposed that local and foreign NGOs represented at WUF13 form the Urban wing of the GSNP.
Nearly 800 local and foreign NGO representatives participated in the “WUF13 NGO Forum.”
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