BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The thirteenth
session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), taking place from 17 to
22 May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will feature the largest Urban
Expo in WUF history – transforming the Baku Olympic Stadium into a
global showcase of innovation, collaboration and solutions for
sustainable urban development, Trend
reports.
Spanning 3.5 hectares, the Expo will bring together more than
217 organizations from 66 countries, creating a dynamic space where
governments, civil society, academia, international organizations
and the private sector can exchange ideas, present initiatives and
build partnerships around the WUF13 theme, “Housing the world: Safe
and resilient cities and communities.”
More than an exhibition space, the Urban Expo is designed as an
immersive experience connecting participants with real-world
responses to the global housing crisis. From large national
pavilions to community-led initiatives and startup innovations, the
Expo will showcase approaches addressing housing, climate
resilience, digital innovation, accessibility and inclusive urban
development.
A record level of participation from civil society organizations
will mark this year’s Expo, supported through dedicated clusters
and shared pavilions focused on social inclusion and accessibility.
The programme will also feature a growing private sector presence,
including 45 companies and 14 startups participating in the new
Business & Innovation Hub.
At the centre of the Expo experience is the WUF13 Boulevard, a
2.5-hectare open-air public space designed for networking, informal
exchange and public interaction. From there, participants can
explore exhibition spaces ranging from the Urban Library and Urban
Cinema to the WUF Academy Campus.
The Urban Expo will open to participants on Sunday, 17 May. A
ceremonial opening will take place on Monday, 18 May at 10:00 at
the Urban Expo, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the
Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture
of the Republic of Azerbaijan and WUF13 National Coordinator Anar
Guliyev, and Executive Director of UN-Habitat Anacláudia
Rossbach.
A platform for global urban exchange
From grassroots organizations to national governments,
researchers and startups, the WUF13 Urban Expo brings together a
diverse range of actors shaping the future of cities. As the
largest Urban Expo ever held at the World Urban Forum, it aims to
foster collaboration, inspire partnerships and connect global
discussions on housing and sustainable urban development with
practical action, innovation and shared learning.
Further information about the exhibition is available via the
Urban
Expo webpage.