The Government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) are establishing a new global award in the field of sustainable urban development - the Baku Urban Award.

Axar.az reports that the official presentation ceremony of the new international award, created on the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan together with UN-Habitat, was held within the framework of WUF13.

The award aims to promote and expand advanced urban planning solutions in sustainable urban development and affordable housing.

The Baku Urban Award is designed as a global platform aimed at promoting practical urban solutions with long-term social, economic, and environmental impact at the international level.

The award will be one of the lasting legacies of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). It is not limited to the forum itself but is intended as a long-term international mechanism contributing to the global urban agenda.

The initiative brings together three main components:

- practical solutions already implemented by urban development professionals;

- expert knowledge and scientifically based approaches;

-integration of successful practices into national and international policy.

Evaluation will be carried out by an independent jury composed of leading international experts in architecture, urban planning, housing provision, climate resilience, finance, and civil society. The award will be an open platform for participants representing all regions of the world.

The establishment of the Baku Urban Award reflects the continued commitment of Azerbaijan to the global urban development and climate agenda. Related initiatives include hosting COP29, launching the “Multisectoral Action Pathways (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities” and the “Baku Sustainability Coalition,” co-chairing the UN-Habitat Intergovernmental Working Group on Adequate Housing for All, as well as hosting WUF13 in Baku.

Cooperation between Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat has been steadily developing since the establishment of the Azerbaijan National Urban Forum in 2022. Within this framework, joint urban development projects have been implemented, including the organization of three National Urban Forums in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, as well as events held in Baku in 2023 on the occasion of World Habitat Day.