Geneva hosts roundtable initiated by Azerbaijan
Berlin, November 10, AZERTAC
A roundtable titled “From Early Shelters to Today's Smart Cities: The Evolution of Human Settlements” was held at Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The event was organized by the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture Committee in partnership with UNOG, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and UN-Habitat, with support from the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture.
Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Rovshan Sadigbayli, Director of the UN Library and Archives Geneva Charlotte Lindberg Warakaulle, and Director of the Multilateral Economic Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Nargiz Gurbanova delivered opening remarks.
Representative of the State Urban Planning and Architecture Committee Gulshan Rzayeva and Head of the UN-Habitat Country Office in Azerbaijan Anna Soave joined online a session on WUF13 outcomes, focusing on the global housing crisis, affordable housing, inclusive urban planning, and implementation of the Baku Call to Action.
The session on promoting the Baku Call to Action highlighted the strengthening of local governance in sustainable urban development, responsible application of AI and digital technologies, climate resilience, and environmental solutions.
Moderated by Ventzeslav Sabev, Associate Director on Security of the Geneva Observatory, the discussions continued in an interactive format with the participation of attendees, including diplomatic representatives from Uzbekistan and Türkiye.
The event featured the photo exhibition on prehistoric shelters in Azykh, Taghlar and Gobustan in Azerbaijan representing one of the earliest chapters in the evolution of human settlements, reflecting humanity's enduring quest for shelter, security, and adaptation to the natural environment.
The exhibition also illustrates how post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation extends beyond the physical rebuilding of settlements and encompasses a broader process of restoring livelihoods, rebuilding communities and strengthening social cohesion.
Alongside the photo exhibition, a promotional video highlighting the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku was screened on a dedicated display.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors at the UN Office at Geneva until November 13.
