The programme for the main events of the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026, has now been released. It brings together a wide range of voices, formats and ideas to tackle one of today’s most global challenges: housing.

Axar.az reports that the theme of the Forum is “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.” WUF13 will convene governments, communities, experts and partners from around the world to exchange solutions, shape policies and accelerate action on sustainable urban development.

The programme blends high-level discussions with practical, solution-oriented spaces and interactive formats, ensuring global policy is grounded in local experience. Learn more about each category and discover the full WUF13 programme via the link https://wuf.unhabitat.org/main-events

Dialogues: framing the global housing agenda

At the core of the programme are high-level Dialogues, which will set the tone for global discussions. The Dialogues will explore how housing connects to inclusion, resilience, and urban systems. Each dialogue focuses on a critical dimension of housing:

• The global housing crisis: What is the plan?

• Transforming informal settlements and slums

• Housing at the centre of crisis recovery and reconstruction

• The climate–housing nexus

• The social and economic power of housing

• A new deal for housing finance

These conversations aim to connect global challenges with actionable solutions and shared commitments.

Special Sessions: deep dives into critical urban issues

Special sessions explore pressing urban topics in greater depth, including climate adaptation, housing solutions, informal settlements, urban recovery, digitalization, financing mechanisms and inclusive urban development.

They offer space for more specialized discussions, showcasing experiences, partnerships and innovative approaches from different regions:

• Housing at the centre of global coalitions

• Cities at the heart of connectivity: Urban reconstruction and regional cooperation

• Pulse of healthy homes

• Africa affordable housing compact

• Cities as playing fields

• Rethinking cultural heritage and inclusive urban regeneration

• Closing the loop: advancing waste management towards circular economy

• Stories from the frontlines: advancing the urban climate legacy

• Inclusive urban resilience, blue economy and sustainable tourism in SIDS

• WUF13 wrap-up

Assemblies: amplifying collective voices

Assemblies create dedicated spaces for different constituencies to come together, reflect on their roles, and articulate shared priorities within the global urban agenda. They will bring together representatives from local and regional governments, grassroots and community organizations, women, youth, business and industry, and parliamentarians to exchange perspectives on key urban issues.

By fostering dialogue within and across these groups, assemblies will help ensure that diverse voices are reflected in the outcomes of the Forum and will strengthen collective advocacy for sustainable urban development.

Roundtables: from dialogue to action

The Forum will also feature roundtables, action-oriented sessions that bring together partners and peers to exchange views on key urban issues. These discussions will create space to identify areas of consensus and explore ways forward to tackle emerging challenges, while showcasing projects, initiatives and research that highlight the value of inclusion and peer-to-peer learning.

The roundtables will be organized into 12 sessions, each focusing on a specific constituency or thematic area:

• One UN

• Local and regional governments

• Business

• Women

• Persons with disabilities

• Parliamentarians

• Academia

• Children and youth

• Professionals

• Grassroots and civil society organizations

• The rights of Indigenous peoples

• The rights of older persons