Introduction to the prominent Saudi participation
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded its exceptional and successful participation in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), hosted by Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22, 2026. This global event witnessed broad international participation, including representatives from governments, international organizations, and leading experts and decision-makers in the fields of urban development and sustainable housing. The strength of the Saudi presence was demonstrated by a large official delegation of 340 participants representing 46 diverse entities from the governmental, private, and non-profit sectors, reflecting the Kingdom's deep commitment to urban development.
General context and historical background of the World Urban Forum
The World Urban Forum, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the premier global conference on urbanization and sustainable development. Founded in 2001 in response to the growing challenges of rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, and economies, the Forum has since become a vital international platform for exchanging ideas and experiences and showcasing innovative solutions for building more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Kingdom Pavilion: Record Numbers and Global Engagement
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's pavilion, inaugurated by His Excellency the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, witnessed a remarkable turnout and widespread engagement from forum visitors. The pavilion successfully attracted over 21,000 visitors, making it one of the most active pavilions. Saudi Arabia's participation included organizing more than 30 high-level dialogue sessions, in addition to hosting 50 accompanying events and presentations. These events showcased pioneering Saudi experiences in the fields of housing, urban development, sustainability, enhancing quality of life, innovative financing solutions, and the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in developing smart cities.
Signing of 7 strategic agreements to enhance cooperation
Saudi Arabia's participation in the World Urban Forum culminated in seven bilateral meetings and official gatherings with several prominent international delegations and organizations. Most importantly, seven strategic agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, aiming to strengthen frameworks for joint cooperation and the exchange of best practices and expertise in urban development, housing, and urban innovation. The Kingdom's pavilion also received 29 official visits from dignitaries, officials, heads of delegations, and representatives of international organizations, who expressed their admiration for the Kingdom's pioneering projects in the municipal and housing sectors.
The importance of the event and its expected impact (locally, regionally and internationally)
This participation is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, it reflects the unprecedented scale of urban and developmental transformation the Kingdom is witnessing within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly the national initiatives that have contributed to increasing homeownership rates among citizens, enhancing the real estate supply, and developing the urban landscape. Regionally, it solidifies the Kingdom's position as a leading nation in the Middle East in adopting sustainable and livable development models. Internationally, these steps underscore the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its presence in international forums and actively contributing to shaping the future of sustainable cities globally, by placing human beings and quality of life at the forefront of its development priorities.
