ONE UN - Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities along the Caspian Sea - Unlocking Vertical Climate Finance for Urban Adaptation (WUF13).

 The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.


The UN-Habitat, UNEP and IOM are implementing a four-year, USD 10 million Adaptation Fund programme on Building Climate Resilient Cities and Communities in Azerbaijan. Building on the momentum from Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 and WUF13, the programme aligns global climate and urban agendas to strengthen the resilience of cities and communities to climate shocks and translate high-level commitments into coordinated, multi-level action with tangible outcomes for vulnerable populations. The programme advances climate resilience through three interlinked outcomes: 1) strengthening the capacities of national and local institutions and communities; 2) demonstrating integrated adaptation measures through pilot interventions; and 3) scaling up successful approaches across Azerbaijan, with spillover effects across the wider Caspian Sea region. Focusing on coastal urban communities in Greater Baku, Neftchala and Astara, it addresses escalating climate risks such as extreme heat, coastal flooding, water salinity, sea-level fluctuations and ecosystem degradation affecting housing, basic services and livelihoods, while strengthening governance and policy frameworks for climate-resilient coastal zone management. The project is designed as a transferable model for other coastal cities seeking to access climate finance while integrating housing, migration and environmental planning. Using this programme as a central case, the proposed One UN event will explore the climate-housing nexus at neighbourhood level, showing how implementation evidence informs policy and investment decisions. It will highlight integrated solutions combining housing, land-use planning, flood management, early warning systems, nature-based solutions, public spaces and neighbourhood rehabilitation to protect people in high-risk areas, including climate migrants, low-income households, older persons, women and persons with disabilities. Moving beyond a traditional panel format, the session will combine short framing inputs with targeted case examples and a facilitated exchange focused on translating evidence into policy options, financing pathways and regional cooperation. Participants will jointly shape key messages and next steps, including the possible development of a Caspian Call to Action on Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities, to be shared through WUF13 and the Tehran Convention network.

Facilitator: Igor Garafulic.

Partners:
UN-Habitat (Kenya)
UNEP (Switzerland)
IOM (Azerbaijan)

Panelists:
Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President, Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan and Founder of the IDEA Foundation (Azerbaijan)
Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN-Habitat (Brazil)
Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, UNEP (Tanzania)
Mr. Rashad Ismayilov, Minister, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan)
Ms. Rania Sharshr, Director, Climate Action Division IOM (Switzerland)
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

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