Al-Hogail opens Saudi Pavilion at World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan

BAKU — Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail inaugurated on Monday the Saudi pavilion taking part in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22 under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” The pavilion includes more than 20 government, private, and nonprofit entities representing an integrated ecosystem working to develop the municipal, housing, and urban development sectors in the Kingdom. Participants include the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of Energy, Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Real Estate General Authority, Public Investment Fund, Real Estate Development Fund, NHC, and ROSHN Group, in addition to several municipalities, development authorities, universities, and national and international institutions. The pavilion presents an integrated interactive experience through digital and visual presentations and models of urban and housing projects, alongside dialogue sessions, workshops, and presentations reviewing Saudi experiences in housing, urban development, sustainability, housing finance, innovation, and the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in city development. The pavilion also highlights several qualitative initiatives and projects, most notably urban renewal projects, community participation experiences, and financing and housing solutions that contributed to enhancing real estate supply, increasing homeownership rates among citizens, and supporting developmental housing. The Saudi pavilion includes sections for participating entities, halls for bilateral meetings and the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding, a media center, and an area for dialogues and discussions. These features reflect the integration of the national system participating in the forum and strengthen the Kingdom’s presence in international discussions related to the future of cities and sustainable urban development. The World Urban Forum, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is considered the largest international platform focused on urban development and sustainable housing issues, with broad participation from governments, international organizations, decision-makers, and experts from around the world. The Saudi pavilion showcases the Kingdom’s experience in urban development and housing sector advancement, as well as the qualitative transformations achieved under Saudi Vision 2030 targets related to quality of life, increased homeownership rates, city development, and enhanced urban sustainability. It also highlights national initiatives and projects connected to the future of cities and urban innovation.