Baku: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded its participation in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22, 2026, witnessing extensive international participation from governments, international organizations, experts, and urban development decision-makers. The Saudi delegation comprised 340 participants representing 46 entities across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom's pavilion, inaugurated by Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, experienced a remarkable turnout and widespread engagement, welcoming over 21,000 visitors. Saudi Arabia's participation featured more than 30 high-level dialogue sessions, while the pavilion itself hosted 50 accompanying events and presentations. These sessions showcased Saudi expertise in housing, urban development, sustainability, quality of life, financing solutions, and the integration of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in smart city development.
This participation reflected the sheer scale of the urban and developmental transformation currently underway in the Kingdom, directly aligned with the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritize humans, quality of life, and sustainability. The pavilion highlighted national initiatives that have successfully increased homeownership rates, boosted real estate supply, and transformed the urban landscape, enabling Saudi cities to adopt resilient, sustainable, and highly attractive living models. The Kingdom also shared its pioneering experiences in developmental housing, public-private partnerships, and environmental sustainability, cementing its status as a leading global model in urban transformation.
The Saudi delegation held seven official bilateral meetings with international organizations and delegations. Furthermore, the Kingdom signed seven agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) designed to strengthen global cooperation and exchange expertise in urban development and housing innovation.
The pavilion also hosted 29 official visits from international dignitaries, ministers, and heads of delegations. These officials were briefed on the Kingdom's landmark projects in the municipal and housing sectors, witnessing firsthand the developmental milestones that have elevated the quality of life and operational efficiency across Saudi cities.
Organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the World Urban Forum is the premier international platform dedicated to sustainable housing and urban development, providing a global arena for sharing innovative practices to build inclusive, resilient cities.
