In preparation for the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF) to be held in Baku in 2026, an Organizing Committee was established and an Action Plan was approved by the relevant Presidential Decree. In accordance with this plan, the Committee is consistently working towards organizing WUF13 at a high level. To support the preparatory process, an event dedicated to the importance of the Forum, Azerbaijan's urban planning priorities, and international cooperation opportunities was held at Sumgayit State University (SSU) on November 20. Vice-Rector for Social Affairs and Public Relations of the university, Associate Professor Elmar Khalilov emphasized that the urban planning policy implemented in the country in recent years has been updated in accordance with modern standards. He said that the implemented infrastructure projects and Azerbaijan's hosting of WUF13 further strengthen our country's position as a reliable partner in global urban planning processes. The vice-rector also provided information on the educational reforms carried out at SSU, achievements in the field of scientific research and the university's position in the international scientific and academic space, emphasizing that the location of SSU in an industrial city creates special advantages for the university in terms of cooperation and applied research. Head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of Sumgayit City, Huseyn Aliyev noted the strategic importance of Azerbaijan hosting a world-scale urban planning forum. He said that WUF13 opens up wide opportunities for the development of urbanization processes in the country based on modern approaches, the application of new urban planning models and the introduction of international experience to the local environment. During the speech, the socio-economic development trends of Sumgayit city were also touched upon and it was emphasized that the renewal and modernization process carried out in the city creates new perspectives in terms of urbanization. At the end of the event, an exchange of views was held on urban planning, urbanization, and socio-economic development, and proposals for future projects were made.