Saudi Arabia's participation in the World Urban Forum: Signing of 7 agreements
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded its prominent participation in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), hosted by Baku, Azerbaijan. The event witnessed broad international participation, including representatives from governments, international organizations, experts, and decision-makers involved in urban development and sustainable housing. Saudi Arabia's participation was represented by a large delegation of 340 participants from 46 diverse entities across the governmental, private, and non-profit sectors, reflecting the Kingdom's deep commitment to developing the cities of the future.
History and Journey of the World Urban Forum
The World Urban Forum (WUFF), established by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in 2001, is the premier global conference on urbanization and sustainable development. Held biennially, the forum first convened in Nairobi in 2002 and has since become the leading platform for discussing the challenges facing rapidly growing cities. The forum aims to examine the impact of rapid urbanization on societies, cities, economies, and climate change. This year's forum builds upon a long history of international efforts to find innovative solutions for housing and infrastructure development, aligning perfectly with the modern global trend toward building resilient urban environments.
Strategic dimensions and impact of the World Urban Forum locally and internationally
The importance of the World Urban Forum lies in its ability to bring together leading thinkers to develop urban policies that directly impact the quality of life for millions of people. At the local and regional levels, the Forum provides participating countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, with an exceptional opportunity to share their successful experiences in urban planning and developmental housing with the world. Internationally, the Forum's outcomes contribute to achieving the eleventh Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The exchange of knowledge at this global gathering strengthens countries' capacity to address the environmental and economic challenges associated with rapid urbanization.
The Saudi pavilion was a success, and 7 agreements were signed
During the forum, the Kingdom's pavilion, inaugurated by Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, witnessed a remarkable turnout and widespread engagement, welcoming over 21,000 visitors. Saudi Arabia's participation included organizing more than 30 high-level dialogue sessions and hosting 50 accompanying events and presentations. These events showcased pioneering Saudi experiences in housing, urban development, sustainability, and quality of life, in addition to financing solutions, urban innovation, and the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in city development. These efforts culminated in seven bilateral meetings and official gatherings, along with the signing of seven strategic agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise in urban development and urban innovation.
The future of sustainable cities in light of Vision 2030
The Kingdom's participation reflected the immense scale of its urban and developmental transformation, aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This was evident in the showcase of national initiatives and projects that have contributed to increasing homeownership rates among citizens, enhancing the real estate supply, improving quality of life, and developing the urban landscape. The pavilion also highlighted effective partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as initiatives related to environmental sustainability. The pavilion received 29 official visits from senior officials, heads of delegations, and representatives of international organizations, who commended the Kingdom's pioneering projects. This participation underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening its presence on the international stage and actively contributing to shaping the future of sustainable cities, placing human beings and their quality of life at the forefront of its development priorities.
