Introduction to the Kingdom's participation in the World Urban Forum
His Excellency the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, inaugurated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum 2026 (WUF13). This prominent global event is being held in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22, 2026, under the theme “Global Housing: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” This participation reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting sustainable urban development and providing innovative housing solutions that meet future aspirations.
Integrated system: More than 20 entities under one roof
The Kingdom's pavilion at the forum features more than 20 entities representing the government, private, and non-profit sectors. These entities form an integrated system working harmoniously to develop the municipal and housing sectors and drive urban development in the Kingdom. Among the most prominent participating entities are the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Energy. Also participating are the Public Investment Fund, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the General Authority for Real Estate, the Real Estate Development Fund, the National Housing Company (NHC), Roshan Group, and a number of municipalities, development authorities, universities, and national and international institutions.
Interactive experiences and urban renewal projects
The pavilion offers visitors a comprehensive interactive experience based on cutting-edge technologies, featuring digital and visual displays and live models of major urban and housing projects in Saudi Arabia. In addition to the exhibition, the pavilion hosts panel discussions, workshops, and presentations showcasing Saudi Arabia's pioneering experience in housing, urban development, sustainability, housing finance, and innovation, with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence in urban development.
Furthermore, the pavilion highlights a number of high-quality initiatives and projects, most notably urban renewal projects and successful community engagement initiatives. It also showcases financing and housing solutions that have directly contributed to increasing the supply of real estate and raising homeownership rates among citizens, aligning with the objectives of the housing program within Saudi Vision 2030.
Historical context of the World Urban Forum (WUF)
The World Urban Forum (WUF), established in 2001 and organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the premier global conference on urbanization and sustainable urban development. Held biennially, the Forum brings together policymakers, government representatives, private sector stakeholders, and experts. Its aim is to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and its impact on societies and economies, with the goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11, which calls for making cities inclusive, safe, and resilient.
The strategic importance and expected impact of the Kingdom's participation
The Kingdom's participation in the 2026 World Urban Forum is of paramount importance. Domestically, this participation will highlight the qualitative transformations that Saudi cities have witnessed in terms of quality of life and infrastructure development. Regionally and internationally, this step will enhance the Kingdom's presence as a leading force in urban innovation, opening up broad horizons for attracting foreign investment and forging strategic partnerships.
The Kingdom's pavilion includes dedicated spaces for participating entities, halls for bilateral meetings and agreement signings, as well as a media center and a dialogue area. This integration reflects the unity of the national system and reinforces the Kingdom's active role in shaping the future of global cities.
