Briefing Held on High-Level Participation and Official Visits During WUF13

On 15 May, members of the accredited diplomatic corps in Azerbaijan were briefed on preparations and the official programme for the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which is due to open in Baku in two days.

The briefing was attended by representatives of the Protocol and Press Services of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, alongside officials from the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company, as well as senior United Nations representatives currently on an official visit to Baku, including Ulf Björnholm, Secretary to the Governing Bodies of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); Jean-Marc Koumoué, Deputy Chief of Protocol at the United Nations; and Kevin O’Hanlon, Deputy Chief of the Security and Safety Services at UN Headquarters.

The briefing, held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, the venue for WUF13, was attended by nearly 150 participants, including senior representatives of diplomatic missions operating in Azerbaijan, alongside officials visiting from a number of foreign countries.

During the briefing, diplomats were introduced to the official programme of the event and received detailed information on protocol procedures relating to security arrangements, official reception services and transport coordination for state and government delegations travelling to Baku. Participants were also briefed on accreditation procedures for press services and media representatives accompanying official delegations, alongside participation protocols governing official events held within the framework of WUF13.

Diplomats were also briefed on the operational plan for Heydar Aliyev International Airport during the event period, the organisation of local transport services across the city, and the schedule of key official engagements taking place as part of WUF13.

Ulf Björnholm, Secretary to the Governing Bodies at UN-Habitat, noted that more than 39,000 participants from 182 countries have registered to date, marking a record level of participation in the history of the World Urban Forum.

Representatives of the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company stated that the Baku Olympic Stadium is fully prepared to host the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place from 17 to 22 May. Confidence was also expressed that WUF13 will stand among the next major international events to be successfully delivered by Azerbaijan.

Following the briefing, participants were invited on a guided tour of the venue. During the visit, detailed presentations were provided on the dedicated areas prepared for high-level guests and official delegations, including spaces designated for the reception of heads of state and government representatives, bilateral meetings, designated lounge and rest areas, and catering services.