Baku Completes Final Preparations for World Urban Forum 13

Final preparations are under way for WUF13 in Baku, Azerbaijan as of 12 May 2026, with authorities across infrastructure, security and visitor services completing last-minute work ahead of the global urban forum. More than 28,000 participants and around 1,000 media representatives are expected to attend the event, which will feature 40 main sessions and 350 partner-led events.

Euronews reported that organisers are adapting the Olympic Stadium into a large-scale conference venue to accommodate the scale of the gathering.

Transport authorities are expanding bus lanes and electric fleets to improve mobility for the thousands of visitors. Police are increasing safety measures and digital monitoring systems in tandem with those transport upgrades. Tourism authorities are preparing tailored tours to showcase Azerbaijan’s cultural landmarks for WUF13 visitors, aiming to integrate the forum with the country’s broader heritage offerings.

The coordinated efforts span multiple government agencies working on parallel tracks in the days immediately before the forum opens. In this episode of Road to WUF13, Euronews took a behind-the-scenes look at final preparations ahead of the global urban forum. The coverage highlighted how Baku is mobilising resources simultaneously across venues, roads, public safety and hospitality services.

The Olympic Stadium’s transformation into a conference hub represents one of the most visible physical changes. Organisers have reconfigured seating, installed temporary structures and upgraded technical facilities to host both the 40 main sessions and the extensive schedule of side events. Expanded bus lanes are expected to ease congestion as delegates move between venues and hotels.

The addition of more electric vehicles to the fleet is intended to support sustainable mobility goals that align with the urban-focused themes of the forum itself. Heightened police presence will include both visible officers and expanded digital monitoring systems across key sites in the capital.

Officials have not disclosed specific technical details of the monitoring upgrades but have confirmed they form part of the overall safety plan.

Tailored tours organised by tourism authorities will give international attendees structured access to Azerbaijan’s cultural landmarks. These excursions are scheduled around the main programme to allow participants to experience the host country’s heritage without disrupting the 40 main sessions or 350 partner-led events.

Euronews reported that the preparations reflect a whole-of-government approach rarely seen outside major sporting events.

The scale — more than 28,000 participants plus around 1,000 media representatives — has required months of planning that now enters its final phase on 12 May 2026.