The Azerbaijani delegation, led by Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture Anar Guliyev, has concluded its participation in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda, held on 16–17 July at the UN Headquarters in New York.

One of the key priorities of Azerbaijan’s participation was to advance the international follow-up to the outcomes of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku in May this year. It was noted that the Forum, which brought together more than 58,000 participants from 176 countries, became one of the world's leading platforms on sustainable urbanisation. The Baku Call to Action, the Chair’s Summary, the first-ever Leaders’ Segment, the Baku Urban Award, and other initiatives launched at the Forum have already been reflected in the work of the UN General Assembly, contributing to the further implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

During the plenary session, Chairman of the Committee Anar Guliyev delivered Azerbaijan’s national statement. He presented the key achievements of the country’s state policy in urban planning and territorial development, highlighting the reforms being implemented to create safe, inclusive and people-centred living environments, as well as modern approaches to spatial planning as one of the key instruments for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Particular attention during the meeting was given to Azerbaijan’s experience in the recovery of liberated territories. Speaking at the ministerial luncheon dedicated to the restoration of areas affected by conflicts, natural disasters and forced displacement, Anar Guliyev stressed that recovery efforts should not be limited to rebuilding yesterday’s settlements, but should focus on creating the cities and villages of the future that provide safer and more comfortable living conditions. He noted that post-conflict recovery should be viewed not as a return to the past, but as a strategic opportunity to build modern, inclusive and people-centred communities.

Azerbaijan also presented to the international community its large-scale reconstruction programme in Garabagh and East Zangazur as a practical example of a modern approach to post-conflict development. It was noted that over the past six years, facilities with a total floor area of 3 million square metres have been commissioned, while housing has been built for approximately 16,000 families. Today, life has returned to 10 cities, 3 settlements and 30 villages, where more than 90,000 people now live, work and study.

One of the most significant practical outcomes of the visit was the signing of an agreement between the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The agreement provides for the preparation of spatial planning documents for the villages of Guyjag in the Jabrayil district and Mollabayramli in the Kalbajar district. The project will mark the first direct involvement of UN-Habitat in the recovery process of Azerbaijan’s liberated territories and will support the implementation of the Great Return State Programme through the application of international expertise.

During the visit, bilateral meetings were held with UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach, Head of the Polish delegation and Deputy Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Jan Szyszko, and Brazil’s Minister of Cities Antônio Vladimir Moura Lima. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in sustainable urban development, implementing joint initiatives, and exchanging best practices in spatial planning.

The activities of the Azerbaijani delegation in New York marked a natural continuation of the international agenda shaped during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku. The initiatives presented, the agreements reached and the cooperation framework established provide a solid foundation for further expanding international partnerships and implementing new joint projects in the field of urban development.