---
title: 'Uzbek President Mirziyoyev Attends World Urban Forum in Baku'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/uzbek-president-mirziyoyev-attends-world-urban-forum/'
author: 'News Desk'
date: '2026-05-18T13:13:38+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Central Asia'
  - 'World'
tags:
  - 'Baku'
  - 'Crisis'
  - 'Shavkat Mirziyoyev'
  - 'Uzbekistan'
  - 'World Urban Forum'
---

# Uzbek President Mirziyoyev Attends World Urban Forum in Baku

**Baku (TDI):** President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is set to participate in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF-13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Communities” today.

The global forum is being jointly organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture. The event is expected to bring together government officials, international organizations, urban planners, academics, and private sector representatives to discuss solutions to the growing global housing and urbanisation crisis.

This year’s theme aligns with the priorities outlined in the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan for 2026–2029, particularly efforts aimed at improving access to adequate housing and building sustainable, resilient urban communities.

In recent years, urbanisation and housing development have become increasingly important policy areas worldwide. The United Nations has promoted the “Urban-Rural Continuum” concept, which views cities and surrounding rural regions as interconnected systems linked through transportation, food supply, economics, and environmental sustainability.

![Mirziyoyev](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/fo-3-300x155.jpg)

Uzbekistan has also accelerated reforms in housing and urban development under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev. Over the past eight years, the country has reportedly constructed more than 120 million square metres of housing, including over 600,000 apartments, while affordable mortgage programmes and subsidies have supported hundreds of thousands of citizens.

Officials say the country’s urbanisation rate has risen significantly, increasing from 40.3 percent in 1991 to around 51 percent today, with nearly 20 million people now living in urban areas.

To better coordinate urban planning and housing policy, Uzbekistan established the National Committee for Urbanization and Sustainable Housing Market Development through a presidential decree. The institution oversees urbanisation strategy, housing construction, mortgage systems, and city development programmes.

**Read More: [Mirziyoyev Attends Inaugural Board of Peace Meeting to Promote Global Stability](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/mirziyoyev-attends-board-of-peace-meeting/) **

The construction sector in Uzbekistan has also expanded rapidly in recent years, with thousands of new construction firms and design organisations entering the market. Authorities have introduced reforms aimed at simplifying permit procedures, modernising urban planning standards, and accelerating project approvals.

According to official figures, more than 210 million square metres of buildings and facilities have been developed in recent years, including over 15,000 apartment complexes containing approximately 647,000 residential units.

UN-Habitat, headquartered in Nairobi, serves as the United Nations’ specialised programme for sustainable urban development and human settlements. The World Urban Forum, established in 2001, has become one of the UN’s leading international platforms for addressing the challenges of rapid urbanisation, climate pressures, housing shortages, and infrastructure development.

The Baku forum is expected to produce a key outcome document titled the “Baku Call to Action,” which will outline major global housing challenges and propose practical policy recommendations for governments and institutions.

Discussions at the forum are expected to focus on social housing, modernisation of informal settlements, transport systems, water and sanitation infrastructure, waste management, climate resilience, and the growing role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in city planning.

**Read More: [PM Shehbaz, Uzbek President Mirziyoyev Call for Expanded Cooperation](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/shehbaz-mirziyoyev-expanded-economic-cooperation/)**

The United Nations has increasingly stressed that cities are at the centre of the climate crisis and estimates that trillions of dollars in annual investment will be needed globally by 2030 to build climate-resilient urban infrastructure.

At the same time, policymakers are placing greater emphasis on “smart cities” designed around human needs, where technology is used not only for efficiency but also to reduce inequality and improve access to public services.

Experts note, however, that one of the biggest global challenges remains translating international urban development goals into practical action at the local level, particularly in areas such as financing, governance, and implementation capacity.