For the first time in WUF history, WUF13 NGO forum held at initiative of Azerbaijan - FOTO

Organized by the NGO Agency of Azerbaijan and in partnership with the NGO Platform of the Global South, which unites NGOs from 116 countries, the WUF13 NGO Forum was held for the first time in the history of WUF.

As reported by Report, at the opening ceremony, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anaclaudia Rossbach stated that this forum is a historic event for WUF.

She noted the important role of civil society in urban planning issues and in the decision-making process.

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan, through active diplomacy, has become an important platform for promoting cooperation between the Global North and the Global South, as well as for developing effective dialogue.

He also emphasized that new cities are being built and life is being revived in the mine-contaminated territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur, and noted Azerbaijan’s readiness to share its experience with foreign partners.

Former UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif stated that the future of cities should be shaped not only by governments but also with the participation of local communities and civil society.

Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation Dima Al-Khatib called the NGO Platform of the Global South a fantastic project and congratulated Azerbaijan on its establishment.

Member of the WUF13 Organizing Committee and Chair of the Board of the NGO Agency of Azerbaijan Aygun Aliyeva reported that the structure she represents will continue to contribute to building healthy relations between local and foreign NGOs.

Former UN-Habitat Board Secretary Christian Mensa congratulated the Platform on the creation of a civil society hub for local and foreign NGOs at WUF13.

Deputy Secretary General of the Platform for the Latin American Region and former Foreign Minister of Ecuador Luis Gallegos emphasized that global partnership is not limited to states alone—international organizations, the private sector, NGOs, local communities, academia, and other stakeholders must also participate in this process.

Following the opening ceremony, a panel discussion was held on the topic “Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Development.”

Around 800 representatives of foreign and local non-governmental organizations participated in the WUF13 NGO Forum.