Baku to Host World Urban Forum 2026 with New Business & Innovation Hub
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The 13th session of the World Urban Forum 13, scheduled to be held in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026, will introduce a new Business & Innovation Hub aimed at promoting leadership, innovation, and practical solutions in the housing sector.
Held under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” the forum will focus on addressing the global housing crisis by advancing innovative approaches, investment opportunities, and implementation strategies for sustainable urban development.
According to organizers, the Business & Innovation Hub has been designed around two key objectives: showcasing how housing projects are delivered in practice and creating a platform for networking, collaboration, and partnerships across the urban value chain.
The initiative will bring together private sector representatives, investors, urban planners, innovators, and stakeholders involved in developing housing and basic service solutions.
A central feature of the Hub will be the Business & Innovation Stage, which will host 15 curated interactive sessions under the theme “Urban Value Chain in Action.” These sessions will highlight practical projects, successful delivery models, and lessons learned by companies, business associations, and development partners working to promote sustainable urbanization and adequate housing.
Organizers said the Hub will reflect the diversity of the private sector by involving large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and business associations, with a strong emphasis on innovation, technology, and creative responses to urban challenges.
The platform is also expected to strengthen cooperation among cities, investors, and practitioners by helping transform ideas into implementable projects and fostering collaboration across different sectors of urban development.
In addition, the forum will feature a Startup Pavilion dedicated to emerging businesses and young entrepreneurs. The pavilion will host 14 selected startups from 10 countries, providing them with an opportunity to showcase innovative solutions aimed at addressing housing and urban development challenges worldwide.
The upcoming forum in Azerbaijan is expected to serve as a major international platform for dialogue on sustainable cities, resilient communities, and innovative housing solutions in the face of growing urbanization pressures.
