AGP Executive Report

World Urban Forum Momentum in Baku: WUF13 is in full swing with a clear focus on housing and safe, resilient cities, drawing 40,000+ participants from 182 countries and turning global housing numbers into policy talk. Housing Finance Overhaul: Azerbaijan’s “New Deal on Housing Finance” highlights a model mixing social inclusivity with financial sustainability, while digital platforms now handle application, appraisal, and approval to make distribution more transparent. Reconstruction + Clean Tech: Speakers tied crisis recovery to “Smart City/Village” approaches in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand, pairing renewable energy and modern connectivity with community-centered planning. Air Quality Push: A WUF13 forum backed by the IDEA campaign and Clean Air Fund put clean air and green infrastructure at the center of urban design. Climate Finance Pressure: OECD data says rich countries hit $100bn climate finance again in 2024, but questions grow over meeting a bigger next pledge. Cybersecurity Watch: A report flags Chinese-linked Linux backdoor activity targeting Central Asia telecoms, underscoring the wider risk landscape around critical services.

World Bank push in Baku: Azerbaijan’s Finance Minister Sahil Babayev met World Bank Regional Director Rolande Pryce to expand cooperation on energy transition and transport, with talks also covering sustainable urban development and infrastructure tied to WUF13—highlighting the AZURE green power grid integration and road corridor priorities like Salyan–Bilasuvar and possible Bilasuvar–Astara M3 financing. COP31 electrification drive: COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum called for faster electrification and more climate finance for developing countries, stressing clean power, clean cooking, resilient cities, and industrial decarbonisation. WUF13 housing-to-law focus: A parliamentarians roundtable zeroed in on turning global housing commitments into enforceable national legislation, budgets, and local implementation. Caspian climate finance dialogue: A WUF13 high-level session tackled vertical climate finance for Caspian adaptation as water levels and heat intensify pressures. Circular waste momentum: A Baku workshop reviewed municipal waste systems and circular economy approaches, including upcycling plastic into durable materials.

WUF13 Energy & Finance: Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov met EBRD’s Harry Boyd-Carpenter, spotlighting renewables and regional power corridors as Azerbaijan targets 8 GW of renewable capacity by 2035 amid rising electricity demand from data centers. Inclusive Cities: A WUF13 roundtable on disability rights pushed “Beyond Accessibility,” warning that cities built without universal design leave long-term barriers for about 16% of the world’s population and worsen housing and climate risks. Heritage as Living Urban Life: Ismail Serageldin argued historic cities shouldn’t be frozen monuments—identity depends on street life, mixed land use, and active regulation to curb pollution and uncontrolled development. Housing Crisis Pressure: UN-Habitat’s World Cities Report 2026 says ~40% of the world’s population is affected by a housing crisis, with prices rising faster than incomes and affordability worsening. Regional Connectivity Lens: Azerbaijan’s deputy minister stressed urban planning must link transport, energy integration, and digital infrastructure—tying reconstruction to the Middle Corridor agenda.

World Urban Forum momentum in Baku: Azerbaijan is using WUF13 to push housing and climate resilience to the top of the agenda, with UN-Habitat unveiling its World Cities Report 2026 and warning that the housing crisis is worsening as cities swell and climate hazards destroy homes. Caspian climate finance push: A high-level dialogue focused on “Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities along the Caspian Sea,” tying water stress and Caspian Sea level decline to livelihoods and calling for scalable urban adaptation funding. Turkic cooperation on cities: OTS leaders and partners signed new cooperation steps on urban planning and sustainable development, while Azerbaijan’s Baku Continuity Coalition aims to turn COP29 political will into municipal action. Local delivery in focus: Shusha’s next housing push—about 900 apartments in new complexes—was outlined alongside broader reconstruction and “build back better” planning. Regional connectivity gets a boost: Georgia and Azerbaijan signed long-term energy and transport agreements, including a plan to restart passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku after a six-year gap. Economy backdrop: Armenia’s growth eased to 6.6% in March, with construction still driving activity and inflation rising amid supply-chain and Middle East pressures.

World Urban Forum momentum: Azerbaijan’s WUF13 in Baku is driving a packed housing-and-city agenda, with UN-Habitat’s Anacláudia Rossbach stressing that recovery from crises often starts with housing, while UN human rights chief Volker Türk links affordable, energy-efficient homes to real community change. Human-centered reconstruction: Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov framed Azerbaijan’s rebuilding as a connectivity project—transport corridors, green energy, and “smart governance” shaping where people live and how regions cooperate. Regional diplomacy via cities: Aliyev met Slovakia’s environment deputy PM Tomáš Taraba, with both sides highlighting energy ties and the forum’s role in sharing solutions. New partnerships for implementation: Malaysia launched the Asia Pacific Urban Agenda Platform at WUF13 to turn the New Urban Agenda into a structured action mechanism. Local ties expand: Shusha and Trabzon signed a sister-city memorandum in Baku, bringing Shusha’s partner network to 10.

World Urban Forum momentum in Baku: Leaders are using WUF13 to push a simple message: cities will be judged by shelter, safety, and dignity—not skylines. Housing-first policy: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova told the summit that “the true measure” is whether the most vulnerable have a home and security, warning that tech and “smart cities” only matter if they cut inequality. Punjab’s $2bn push: Pakistan’s Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said her province is rolling out a people-centred, climate-conscious urban programme worth over $2 billion, including affordable housing via zero-interest loans and upgrades to water, sanitation, and resilience infrastructure. Regional showcases: Kazakhstan’s PM Olzhas Bektenov framed “cities for citizens” around safety, accessibility, and environmental inclusion, while Qatar highlighted integrated planning linking transport and sustainability. Azerbaijan spotlight: The Azerbaijan pavilion at Urban Expo is now open to visitors, presenting smart city and smart village work tied to reconstruction and green energy ambitions.

World Urban Forum Momentum in Baku: President Ilham Aliyev’s WUF13 continues to draw global attention, with leaders and experts pushing housing, climate resilience, and healthier cities to the top of the agenda. Housing Finance Reform: Kenya’s President William Ruto used the forum to call for stronger African multilateral financing and a reset of the global financial system that, he says, forces developing countries to pay far more for credit. Azerbaijan–Georgia Connectivity: Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a package extending energy cooperation for 20 years and agreed to restart daily passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku from May 26 after a six-year pause. Azerbaijan–Türkiye Reconstruction & Efficiency: Türkiye showcased its “Azerbaijan neighborhood” reconstruction model in Kahramanmaraş, while Azerbaijan and Türkiye signed an energy-efficiency cooperation deal for buildings. Heritage to Resilience: A WUF13 panel highlighted how traditional Turkic houses can strengthen urban resilience through heritage-led, sustainable restoration. Urban Health & Inclusion: WHO stressed that transport, energy, and housing choices shape public health, while gender-focused sessions warned climate risks hit women and girls hardest in vulnerable housing conditions.

Caspian Sea Alarm: Satellite-backed research says the world’s largest lake is shrinking fast, with Azerbaijan’s low-lying Absheron coastline showing clearer retreat—scientists link the drop to climate-driven evaporation and a disrupted water balance. WUF13 in Baku: The 13th World Urban Forum opened in Baku under “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” drawing 32,000+ participants from nearly 180 countries and heavy global media focus on Azerbaijan’s hosting and urban solutions. Housing Meets Climate: A key panel warned that sustainable cities are impossible if humanity “wages war against nature,” pushing affordability, social equity, and land-use planning as climate tools. Water & Youth on the Agenda: UN officials stressed billions still lack safe water and sanitation, while youth delegates called for living environments that protect dignity and hope. Regional Partnerships: Azerbaijan and Serbia highlighted energy cooperation, while Kenya’s Ruto met Ilham Aliyev on energy, trade, and investment talks. Global Noise: US President Trump attacked Democrats’ climate policy as Albania’s hydropower helps buffer Middle East-driven energy shocks.

World Urban Forum momentum in Baku: The 13th UN World Urban Forum opened with a clear focus on housing the world—and the agenda is getting more specific fast. Renewables push: Azerbaijan’s urban planning leadership says renewable energy’s share in the national energy balance is set to jump sharply, citing new solar and wind projects. Master plans move: Azerbaijan reports updated master plans for 68 of 79 cities, with the rest in preparation, tying planning to housing and public space. Utilities get a seat at the table: For the first time at WUF13, utilities were formally recognized as a separate stakeholder group, underlining that resilient cities depend on service operators, not just buildings. Global diplomacy via housing: Kenya’s President William Ruto met Ilham Aliyev in Baku to discuss energy, trade, and investment, while UN-Habitat leaders urged faster New Urban Agenda delivery. Local action spotlight: The World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments began, stressing that implementation lives at city level.

World Urban Forum Countdown: WUF13 opens in Baku on May 17–22 with the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” after Azerbaijan’s COP29 push—aiming to turn the global housing crisis into practical city solutions. UN-Habitat Spotlight: UN-Habitat’s executive director Anacláudia Rossbach welcomed the world, with tens of thousands of registrations already logged. Transport for the Summit: Azerbaijan has rolled out a citywide mobility plan—airport shuttles, free bus routes, and dedicated links to the Baku Olympic Stadium—so delegates can move smoothly. Local Reconstruction & Resilience: New settlement plans continue in Kalbajar, including Zar village for 855 families, while officials stress seismic-safe, sustainability-first urban planning. Regional Diplomacy: Turkic states leaders met in Turkistan, and Azerbaijan used the moment to underline the Middle Corridor and Zangezur corridor’s role. Energy & Finance Angle: Talks around sustainable finance and clean-energy cooperation are running alongside the forum.

Housing Push in Kalbajar: Azerbaijan plans to settle 855 families in Zar village, with 547 families moving first, alongside new schools, a kindergarten, utilities and landscaping—part of the wider rebuilding drive in liberated areas. Seismic-Safe Urban Planning: A deputy emergency minister stressed that Azerbaijan’s seismically active reality demands sustainability and stronger seismic-risk assessment in every urban planning model. WUF13 Countdown in Baku: The World Urban Forum opens May 17 under “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities,” with major transport logistics already lined up and international partners preparing to discuss housing, climate shocks and inclusive city solutions. Sustainable Finance: A Baku panel linked ESG rules to long-term resilience, highlighting the central bank’s green-finance roadmap and progress toward greener capital. Turkic Security & Connectivity: Foreign Minister Bayramov urged tighter coordination on hybrid threats, cybersecurity and energy/food security, while reaffirming the Middle Corridor’s growing role.

World Urban Forum Countdown: Baku is gearing up for WUF13 (May 17–22) with a free, 24/7 transport plan linking the airport, hubs and the Baku Olympic Stadium, plus a massive Urban Expo at the venue featuring 217 organizations from 66 countries. Green Logistics Push: Experts say Azerbaijan’s Alat port and electrified rail lines are turning the Middle Corridor into a more competitive “green corridor,” with ESG compliance increasingly shaping European demand. Environment Day Mobilization: Azerbaijan will host World Environment Day events on June 5 with UNEP support—tree planting, clean-ups, exhibitions and public climate action under “Inspired by Nature. For the Climate. For Our Future.” Caspian Sea Warning: New reporting highlights shrinking Caspian water levels since the mid-1990s, with coastal ecosystems and communities in Azerbaijan facing growing pressure. OTS Integration: Azerbaijan’s chairmanship and OTS leaders’ push for AI and digital cooperation continue to frame regional connectivity and security talks.

SOCAR Leadership Move: SOCAR has appointed Levan Davitashvili as CEO of Italiana Petroli after completing its takeover of a 99.82% stake, signaling tighter integration of the Italian assets into the SOCAR Group. Green Energy Corridor: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan met in Tashkent to push the Green Energy Corridor, focusing on building cross-border power links and preparing clean electricity exports toward Europe. WUF13 Build-Up in Baku: As the World Urban Forum 13 approaches, Azerbaijan is hosting major events under the theme “Housing the world,” including international delegations and science panels on urban life and resilience. Sustainable Finance: Azerbaijan’s banking sector allocated AZN 371 mln to green and sustainability projects last year, with plans to scale sustainable lending to 2 billion manat by 2030. Regional Context: Germany warned that Middle East instability could slow growth, underlining why energy security and renewables remain top priorities across the region.

Green Finance Push: Azerbaijan’s banking sector earmarked AZN 371 mln for green and sustainability projects in 2025, with plans to scale to AZN 2 bln by 2030 under the COP29 roadmap—covering greener transport, sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency and water management. WUF13 Momentum: As the World Urban Forum 13 gears up in Baku (May 17–22), Azerbaijan is also rolling out public-facing events and UN-backed themes on safe, resilient cities and early warning systems. Global South Platform in Baku: The first Global South NGO Platform assembly wrapped up with UN and partner praise for Azerbaijan’s push for multilateral dialogue—framing civil society as a “force for action” on climate resilience and inclusive urban governance. Cybersecurity Watch: A new report flags a China-linked campaign targeting Azerbaijan’s energy sector, underscoring how climate and energy diplomacy can raise digital risk.

Energy & Industry: SOCAR has appointed Levan Davitashvili as CEO of Italiana Petroli after SOCAR completed its near-total acquisition, signaling tighter integration of the Italian asset into the SOCAR group. Cybersecurity: Bitdefender says China-linked FamousSparrow (overlapping with Salt Typhoon/Earth Estries) has run multi-wave intrusions against an Azerbaijani oil and gas firm, exploiting Microsoft Exchange and returning despite cleanup—an alarm bell as Azerbaijan’s energy role grows. Green Finance: Azerbaijan’s central bank is pushing the Sustainable Finance Roadmap, targeting 2 billion manat in green funding by 2030 and rolling out an ESG Risk Radar tool by end-2026 to map climate and ESG risks across bank portfolios. Urban Future: WUF13 momentum continues in Baku, with the WUF13 Festival drawing large crowds and promoting dialogue on sustainable, inclusive city planning. Diplomacy & Regional Tensions: Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi rejected military solutions, while Pakistan reiterated its efforts to reduce US-Iran tensions—context for a volatile region that can quickly spill into energy and logistics.

World Urban Forum momentum: Azerbaijan has declared 2026 the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture,” tying the policy push to WUF13 in Baku (May 17–22) and framing housing, climate adaptation, and inclusive governance as the core agenda. WUF13 on the ground: A site visit to the Baku Olympic Stadium showed construction and fit-out works nearing completion, with NGOs and media briefed that the venue is on track for the opening. Climate action with labor: A Baku conference spotlighted trade unions’ role in climate action, linking green transition to social and labor changes. Energy diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister joined regional talks in Tashkent on a “New Energy” agenda and reviewed progress on a trilateral green power corridor with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Private sector finance: IsDB Group’s private sector roadshow wrapped up in Baku ahead of June’s annual meetings, pitching investment and trade opportunities. Oil market shock: The IEA warned global oil supply could fall below demand in 2026 due to the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Corporate update: SOCAR’s acquisition of Italiana Petroli is now reflected in a new CEO appointment in Italy.