As part of a working visit to Baku, representatives of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) and representatives of non-governmental organizations from Turkmenistan are participating in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13)—one of the largest international forums dedicated to sustainable urban development, inclusivity, and global partnership.
The delegation includes Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, Orazgul Isgenderova, Assistant at the CAREC Project Office, Berkeli Atayev, Director of the "Tebigy Kuwwat" Public Organization, and Mubarak Gurbanova, Director of the "Taze Zaman" NGO.
During the forum, the delegation took part in a series of events held at the GSNP Pavilion (Global NGO Support Programme of the Global South), as well as in the thematic session "Inclusive Cities and Independent Living for People with Disabilities." Of particular significance was their participation in the first-ever NGO Forum at WUF13 on the theme "Global Partnerships and Decision-Making."
The historic nature of this forum highlighted the growing role of civil society and non-governmental organizations in shaping the international agenda for sustainable development, climate resilience, urbanization, and social inclusion. For the first time in the history of the World Urban Forum, a dedicated dialogue format was created, bringing together representatives of NGOs, international organizations, government structures, and civil society leaders from around the world.
Welcoming remarks at the opening of the forum were delivered by Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Advisor on Sustainable Urbanization to the Government of Malaysia and former Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Aygun Aliyeva, Chairperson of the Board of the Agency for State Support to NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), Chris Mensah, former Secretary of the UN-Habitat Governing Council, Luis Gallegos, Deputy Secretary-General of the Global South NGO Platform for the Latin American region.
Participation in such events provided an important opportunity for representatives of CAREC and Turkmenistan NGOs not only to learn about international practices and initiatives but also to showcase the experience of the Central Asian region on a global platform. Special attention during the forum was paid to issues of international cooperation, strengthening partnerships, and expanding the participation of youth and civil society in decision-making processes.
Within the framework of WUF13, the delegation established contacts with representatives of international organizations, environmental platforms, the expert community, and NGOs from various countries. The meetings and professional networking open new opportunities for further cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of joint initiatives in the fields of sustainable development and ecology.
"Participation in WUF13 was not just an opportunity to present the activities of CAREC and civil society organizations of Turkmenistan, but also an important step towards expanding international cooperation. Today, it is particularly important that the voice of Central Asia is heard on global platforms where issues of sustainable development, climate resilience, and the future of cities are discussed. The forum allowed us to establish new professional connections and lay the foundation for future joint projects," noted Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan.
Participation in the World Urban Forum (WUF13) once again confirmed the importance of international dialogue and the unification of efforts by states, international organizations, and civil society to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more inclusive and resilient future.
Additional Information:
Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan turkmenistan@carececo.org