African envoys briefed on UN forum to be held in Azerbaijan.
International news Desk
According to global Times news agency Europe,The annual meeting of the heads of diplomatic missions of African countries in Kenya was held on May 9 in Mombasa, organized by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Azerbaijani embassy in Kenya told The global Times Europe media.Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the country, Sultan Hajiyev, attended the meeting with special guest status. As part of the event, a session dedicated to the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), which Azerbaijan will host on May 18-22, 2026, was organized.
Hajiyev provided information about the preparation processes for WUF13, Azerbaijan’s global goals and priorities within the framework of hosting the forum, to more than 60 high-ranking officials and heads of diplomatic missions of African countries participating in the meeting.
He shared his insights on the attention paid by the Azerbaijani government to cooperation with African countries and the prospects for collaboration.
The ambassador highlighted Azerbaijan’s resolute position on the development of the relationship between sustainable urban planning and climate change processes, and the connection between COP-WUF platforms.
Hajiyev also underscored the importance of the MAP initiative (Multisectoral Action Pathways for Sustainable and Healthy Cities) put forward by Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency and the importance of the Baku Sustainability Coalition established on this basis in terms of ensuring synergy between the COP and WUF platforms in multilateral cooperation.
A video presentation promoting WUF13 and a video clip reflecting the achievements of modern Azerbaijan, the results of the glorious Victory of 2020, large-scale restoration and reconstruction works in accordance with innovative urban planning trends at the expense of national capabilities in the post-conflict period, and the Great Return program were shown at the meeting.
Participants were provided with information about human casualties caused by landmines planted in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories and humanitarian demining activities.
The information provided about Azerbaijan’s international initiatives and contributions was well-received at the meeting, which was attended by representatives from most African countries. Confidence was expressed that with Baku city hosting WUF13, Azerbaijan will become the center of global urban planning discussions.
A reception was organized for the annual meeting participants on behalf of the host of WUF13.