On April 28, 2026, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Italian Republic, the Cultural Center of Azerbaijan in Rome organized a conference entitled “WUF13 Baku 2026: Architectural Heritage, Urban Renewal and New Centers” at the Metropolitan City Center under the Rome City Executive Authority. The conference was attended by a specialized audience, including diplomatic, academic and media representatives.

The main goal of the event, organized within the framework of the 2026 – Year of Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan, was to discuss the transformation of the capital Baku into a major center for large-scale and highly relevant international events, to continue the high-level dialogue between Baku and Rome on the future of cities, and to provide extensive information about the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, which will take place on May 17-22, 2026, and to encourage international participation.

The opening speech at the conference was delivered by Gulnar Taghizadeh, Deputy Director of the Cultural Center under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy, who emphasized that the conference is part of the WUF13 journey and that it is more than an event, it is a bridge between two cultures, metaphorically representing two capitals in a dialogue.

Then, Nigar Gurbanova Ramazanli, the diplomat responsible for cultural affairs of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy, made a speech and noted that this year, with the declaration of the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” in our country, a unique platform has been provided to celebrate architectural achievements, confront modern challenges and collaborate on innovative solutions that can be adapted to all cities, and that it is our moral duty to fully preserve architecture as a heritage for future generations.

Elena Andreoni, Director of the Metropolitan City Center, presented a brief information about the activities of the Center related to local community and international cooperation, which was inaugurated in December 2025, and expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for this initiative.

President of the Italy-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce Manuela Traldi spoke about the great development observed in both economic and institutional relations between the two countries and presented the Chamber of Commerce’s activities in this direction.

The panel discussions were attended by Sabir Rzayev, Councilor of the Economic Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jamila Ismayilzadeh, Head of the WUF13 Substantive Content Division, Prof. Leone Spita from La Sapienza University, and Fabrizio Conti, Creative Director of ArtCloud International Network.

S. Rzayev stated that hosting WUF13 is of particular importance for Azerbaijan in terms of national priorities, that our country is implementing a comprehensive reconstruction and recovery process in the liberated territories, that these efforts are aimed at building modern, sustainable and inclusive urban and rural communities, as well as ensuring the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons, and that this experience allows Azerbaijan to provide a unique perspective to global discussions on post-conflict reconstruction and sustainable urban development.

J. Ismayilzadeh, who made a comprehensive presentation about the Forum, which will be dedicated to the theme of “Housing for All: Safe, Sustainable Cities and Settlements”, provided extensive information about the Leaders’ Summit, special sessions and other events to be held within the session, and invited experts in the field to Baku.

Professor Spita presented a unique perspective on the urban characteristics of Azerbaijan, especially the evolution of the capital at various historical stages, while Fabrizio Conti, who has been closely cooperating with Azerbaijan for many years, spoke about his extensive experience in the reconstruction of Garabagh after the liberation of the occupied territories, and showed a video featuring the Garabagh Museum System.

At the end of the event, a video message of Andrea Tobia Zevi, Member of the Council for Heritage and Housing Policy of Rome, emphasizing the importance of WUF13, where local administrations are called upon to intervene for a more sustainable world in an increasingly urbanized world, was shown.