The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.
Water-Smart Cities: Building Urban Resilience Through Capacity Development is a high-level side event at the World Urban Forum 13 that brings together policymakers, city leaders, water authorities, researchers, and development partners to advance practical and scalable approaches for strengthening urban resilience through water. Co-hosted by UNITAR's Global Water Academy (UGWA) and Azerbaijan's Water and Amelioration Scientific Research Institute (WASRI), the event will showcase how capacity development, innovation, governance reform, and investment can enable cities to adopt water-smart solutions that support safe housing, sustainable urban growth, and resilient infrastructure. Through expert dialogue, real-world case studies, and interactive exchange, the session will highlight policy pathways, financing mechanisms, and institutional models that empower cities, particularly in rapidly urbanizing contexts, to translate water challenges into opportunities for inclusive and sustainable urban development. The event will contribute forward-looking insights to the Baku Call to Water Action and strengthen global partnerships at the nexus of water, cities, and resilience. Objectives of the Event Advance understanding of how water-smart strategies strengthen urban resilience, safe housing, and sustainable city development Highlight capacity development approaches that empower governments, utilities, and communities to implement integrated urban water solutions Showcase innovative policies, technologies, and governance models for water-smart and resilient cities, including digital and nature-based solutions Share regional and global best practices, including Azerbaijan's experience in urban water management and institutional reform Foster multi-stakeholder dialogue and partnerships among governments, UN entities, development partners, academia, and the private sector Explore financing and investment pathways that support scalable water-resilient urban infrastructure and service delivery Generate actionable recommendations to inform WUF13 outcomes, including the Baku Call to WaterAction and broader global urban policy processes Facilitator: Ebru Canan-Sokullu Partners: UNITAR (Switzerland) WASRI (Azerbaijan)
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