From May 17 to 22, 2026, the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) was held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, the forum brought together government representatives, experts, scholars, and stakeholders from 182 countries, regions, and international organizations around the world. In addition to the opening ceremony, the forum featured a series of high-level thematic side events focusing on emerging urban challenges and innovative solutions, further expanding practical pathways for sustainable urban development worldwide.
On May 19, at the thematic side event “From Adequate Housing to Livable Communities—Building Sustainable Cities Together”, the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia Rossbach, delivered remarks. She noted that countries around the world are seeking solutions to increasingly complex urban challenges, and that China’s experience in developing green, inclusive, and smart cities offers valuable insights for other countries, particularly those in the Global South.
Wang Shengjun, Chief Economist of China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, extended a warm welcome to Chinese and international participants attending the session. He expressed hope that participants would engage in open and active exchanges on cutting-edge ideas, innovative solutions, and local practices, contributing valuable insights for the sustainable development of cities worldwide, and offering further input toward the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.
Jin Huihui, Director General of the Fuzhou Municipal Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, delivered a presentation titled “Fuzhou: A City of Mountains and Waters, a City of Blessings—Writing a New Chapter in Sustainable Urban Development”. He systematically outlined Fuzhou’s achievements in promoting sustainable urban development through green development, a people-centered approach, and integrated governance. He also shared the city’s experience in building a livable urban environment. Moreover, he promoted the 2026 Global Observance of World Cities Day, launched a call for creative proposals for its signature events, and extended a sincere invitation to join the Global Sustainable Cities Alliance.
The World Urban Forum is a high-level international forum on urban development established and convened by UN-Habitat. It has been held biennially since 2002 and has convened 12 sessions to date.
Fuzhou’s participation in this event represents an important step in its ongoing efforts to deepen international exchange and cooperation and to advance sustainable urban development. Looking ahead, Fuzhou will continue to uphold a people-centered approach to urban development, integrate international best practices with local experience, and steadily improve the modernization of urban governance. The city will accelerate its efforts to build a modern international city that is innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally vibrant, and smart, as well as a modern city for the people—ensuring that Fuzhou, a city of blessings, continues to better serve and benefit its residents.
