About WUF13
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) will take place from 17–22 May 2026 at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan. Convened by UN-Habitat and hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan, the forum will bring together governments, UN agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society, academia, the private sector, and urban development stakeholders from around the world.
The theme of WUF13, “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” will focus on addressing global urban challenges and advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban development. Discussions throughout the forum will explore housing, accessibility, climate resilience, infrastructure, disaster risk reduction, public spaces, and equitable access to services and opportunities within rapidly growing urban environments.
Message from Santosh Kumar Rungta
President, World Blind Union
The New Urban Agenda, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development in Quito, Ecuador, on 20 October 2016 and subsequently endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly during its 71st Session on 23 December 2016, established a comprehensive global framework for sustainable urban development.
The Agenda incorporates key standards and principles relating to the planning, construction, development, management, and improvement of urban areas, founded upon five principal pillars of implementation:
- National Urban Policies
- Urban Legislation and Regulations
- Urban Planning and Design
- Local Economy and Municipal Finance
- Local Implementation
The Agenda recognizes the strong linkages between sustainable urbanization, employment generation, livelihood opportunities, and enhanced quality of life, emphasizing that these elements should form an integral part of all urban renewal policies and strategies.
Although the New Urban Agenda was adopted nearly a decade after the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), it does not explicitly reference the Convention nor sufficiently incorporate accessibility principles for persons with disabilities as mandated under Article 9 of the CRPD. Nevertheless, the Agenda broadly reaffirms commitments to international human rights instruments and promotes inclusive urban development.
Over the years, the World Blind Union, together with its partners and allies, has actively engaged in the World Urban Forum process as part of its global programme promoting inclusive and accessible urban development. This engagement underscores the importance of collective advocacy through organizations of persons with disabilities in advancing disability-inclusive urbanization worldwide.
Continuing this important work, Santosh Kumar Rungta is representing both the World Blind Union and the International Disability Alliance at WUF13 in Baku.
WBU Priorities at WUF13
During WUF13, the World Blind Union will focus on the following priorities:
- Advocating for the integration of the diverse accessibility requirements of all disability groups into policies, programmes, legislation, regulations, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms to ensure mandatory compliance with accessibility standards and barrier-free urban environments.
- Promoting effective procedures and mechanisms that ensure persons with disabilities and their representative organizations are recognized as integral participants in decision-making processes concerning all aspects of urban development, including political participation and governance.
- Calling for the explicit inclusion of the principles, obligations, and mandate of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Political Declaration to be adopted by Member States in July 2026.
The World Blind Union remains firmly committed to working with governments, international organizations, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders to build inclusive, accessible, and sustainable cities where no person with disability is left behind.
Stay Connected
Ongoing updates on WUF13 virtual opporunities and related initiatives:
20 May 2026 12:00–13:30 (UTC+4 / Baku time)
GDF High-Level Side Event at WUF13 – Catalytic Funding for Inclusive and Resilient Cities
This page will be updated regularly as WUF13 approaches and as additional opportunities are confirmed.