The Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, Anar Guliyev, spoke at a High-Level Event dedicated to the Partnership Platform for Localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) jointly organized by the UN Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Permanent Mission of Italy in New York, the US, Report informs, citing the committee.
Guliyev highlighted the high level of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Italy covering energy, trade, education, and culture, noting that this cooperation could also be expanded in the areas of urban planning, green infrastructure, and implementation of SDGs.
He stated that Azerbaijan has fully integrated the SDGs within the framework of Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities with principles of social welfare, economic growth, environmental protection, and effective governance.
The chairman noted that the successful implementation of SDGs in Azerbaijan directly depends on how the urban environment is planned and managed, and in this regard, urban planning has a key role in transforming global targets into local action.
Guliyev also pointed out that urban planning is recognized as a leading element of the national development strategy in Azerbaijan and stated that currently 86% of the country's cities are designed with updated 20-year master plans.
During the speech, the restoration and reconstruction processes carried out in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories were also addressed.
It was noted that the approach based on the Build Back Better principle envisages not only the return of internally displaced persons but also the formation of sustainable, inclusive spaces that could serve as an example for future urban development in the region.
Additionally, it was mentioned that the institution of Presidential Special Representatives, established for effective coordination of this process, plays the role of a functional framework for practical cooperation between different levels of governance and localization of SDGs.
The committee chairman also highlighted that the SDGs will be one of the main discussion topics at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) to be held in Baku in May 2026.
Moreover, providing information about the 3rd National Urban Planning Forum to be held in Azerbaijan in October 2025, he announced that a separate session dedicated to the localization of SDGs will be organized within the event, bringing together local governments, civil society institutions, and other partners.
Partner organizations, including UN-Habitat and the Italian Ministry of Ecology and Energy Security, have been invited to the National Forum.



