Saudi Arabia Inaugurates Pavilion at World Urban Forum 13 in Baku
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail inaugurated the Saudi pavilion on Monday at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22 under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
The pavilion brings together more than 20 government, private, and non-profit entities, forming an integrated national ecosystem focused on advancing the Kingdom’s municipal, housing, and urban development sectors. Participating institutions include key ministries, development authorities, investment bodies, and leading real estate and infrastructure organisations.
Among the participating entities are the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of Energy, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the Real Estate General Authority, Public Investment Fund, Real Estate Development Fund, NHC, and ROSHN Group, along with municipalities, universities, and national and international partners.
The pavilion presents an interactive experience featuring digital displays, visual presentations, and urban development models highlighting major housing and infrastructure projects. It also hosts dialogue sessions, workshops, and expert presentations showcasing Saudi Arabia’s experience in housing development, urban planning, sustainability, housing finance, innovation, and the application of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in city development.
It further highlights key national initiatives, including urban renewal programmes, community participation models, and financing solutions aimed at increasing housing supply and supporting homeownership rates, while advancing developmental housing projects across the Kingdom.
Designed as a comprehensive platform, the pavilion includes dedicated sections for participating entities, halls for bilateral meetings and the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding, a media centre, and spaces for dialogue and discussions. These features reflect the integrated structure of Saudi Arabia’s participation and strengthen its engagement in global discussions on sustainable urban development.
The World Urban Forum, organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the world’s leading platform on urbanisation and sustainable housing, bringing together governments, experts, and international organisations.
The Saudi pavilion highlights the Kingdom’s transformation in the housing and urban development sector under Vision 2030, showcasing progress in improving quality of life, increasing homeownership rates, advancing smart city development, and strengthening urban sustainability through innovation-driven initiatives.
