BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 9. A declaration was adopted on the results of the first Azerbaijan National Urban Forum in Aghdam, Trend reports.
"We, the participants of the first Azerbaijan National Urban Forum (NUFA#1), representing national and local governments, parliaments, civil society, seniors, women, youth, children, people with disabilities, local groups and communities, the private sector, foundations and charities, international and regional organizations, academia, professionals and other relevant stakeholders, have gathered in Aghdam and Baku cities to focus on accelerating sustainable development to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals as a leading force for post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, and adapting the 'new urban agenda' to local conditions as a roadmap for climate change and peace, supporting coordinated local and national contributions to sustainable urbanization processes," the declaration said.
"In the words of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 'the battle for global sustainability will be won or lost in cities'. For this reason, we call for a mobilization of all efforts, means and resources to ensure that all members of present and future generations can build fair, safe, healthy, accessible, supportive, sustainable cities, human settlements without discrimination, in order to improve the well-being and quality of life for all. With this, we highlight the importance of celebrating October as 'Urban October' as a global platform to raise awareness of sustainable urbanization," the declaration stated.
"In line with the 2022 theme, NUFA#1 as a multi-stakeholder platform brings together key decision-makers and experts specializing in urban planning to support evidence-based decision-making for balanced urban development by promoting sustainable development that will improve the climate. While discussing the essential elements of urban renewal efforts, the forum also emphasizes the importance of ensuring an integrated approach, coordinated by governments and the general public, to achieve the ambitious goals set out," the declaration said.
"We at NUFA#1 reaffirm that celebrating and revitalizing culture, including tangible and intangible heritage, creativity and artistic diversity as essential elements of national identity, is an integral part of adapting the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 11 - 'Making cities and human settlements open, safe, resilient and environmentally sustainable' and the 'New Urban Agenda'. We believe that sustainable urban governance systems must ensure the ongoing participation and dialogue of all decision makers to enhance diversification and cross-sector coordination, transparency and accountability. We stress the importance of maintaining existing and establishing new collaborative linkages with the private sector, civil society organizations and academia as well as other partners for sustainable urban development and the implementation of a 'New Urban Agenda', and encourage the continuous exchange of creative solutions and innovative practices that ensure constructive engagement at all levels. Finally, we highlight the importance of demining to restore safe, prosperous, inclusive and sustainable cities and other human settlements in Azerbaijan in line with the National Socio-Economic Development Priorities: Azerbaijan 2030," the declaration added.
The preparation of this declaration was also inspired by the declaration of the 11th World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland, with the intention of contributing to the success of the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt.
"We thank the Government of Azerbaijan, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, the Special Office of the President of Azerbaijan and ADA University, Aghdam and Baku cities, as well as the UN Human Settlements Programme for supporting the Forum. We declare that constant cooperation will be ensured to contribute to the activities of future National Urban Forums," the declaration concluded.
