AGP Executive Report

WUF13 Wrap-Up: Azerbaijan handed the UN World Urban Forum chairmanship to Mexico as the Baku event officially closed, with the Azerbaijan and UN flags lowered at the Olympic Stadium and the “Baku Call to Action” spotlighting the global housing crisis. Turkic Identity: OTS Secretary General stressed shared Turkic heritage and the “common alphabet” at the International Turkology Conference in Almaty, linking history to today’s cooperation. Energy Corridors: Türkiye used the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit to push new oil, gas and electricity routes across Central Asia, the Gulf and Europe, arguing energy security demands diversification. Regional Talks: Azerbaijan’s PM Ali Asadov met Turkmenistan’s Serdar Berdimuhamedov to expand cooperation, while WUF13 also featured Azerbaijan–UN partnership messaging. Transport Updates: AZAL resumed Baku–Nakhchivan flights after weather delays, and ticket demand for Baku–Tbilisi–Baku is surging as rail services prepare to restart. Legal/Politics: Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court rejected Bahruz Samadov’s appeal, keeping his 15-year treason sentence in place.

State Security & Pricing: President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree setting how tariffs for services by Azerbaijan’s Special Communication and Information Security State Service will be approved, with current tariffs staying valid until new ones are set. Independence Day Diplomacy: A wave of congratulations poured in for Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, with leaders including Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, the UK’s King Charles III, and presidents from the Czech Republic, Egypt, Croatia, Sweden, South Africa, Malta, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, and others sending messages of friendship and renewed cooperation. Housing Agenda at WUF13: At the UN World Urban Forum in Baku, an One UN roundtable focused on making housing a cross-cutting development priority, stressing integrated action across finance, climate resilience, services, and local governance. Transport Update: Azerbaijan Railways outlined new Baku–Tbilisi–Baku train services with three service classes and onboard amenities, as the route prepares to restart.

World Urban Forum in Baku: Delegations keep pouring into WUF13, with Bulawayo flying Zimbabwe’s flag at the global gathering and officials using the platform to push housing, climate resilience, and inclusive city planning. Armenia–Azerbaijan tensions: In Yerevan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan escalated accusations against opposition figures, alleging links to Russian intelligence and calling for a treason case—while analysts claim the only real external influence on Armenia’s politics comes from Azerbaijan. Regional geopolitics: Armenia’s leadership also renewed talk of the TRIPP corridor and the idea of a “peace-and-crossroads” strategy, as debate continues over external constraints. Azerbaijan economy & society: Azerbaijan’s butter imports have overtaken domestic production for the first time in years, while cultural life continues with museum events drawing thousands. Tech & security: A new report highlights Chinese-linked Linux backdoor activity targeting telecoms across Central Asia.

World Bank Push: Finance Minister Sahil Babayev met World Bank South Caucasus director Rolande Pryce in Baku, spotlighting new support for energy transition, transport connectivity, and sustainable urban development under WUF13, including the “AZURE” green grid integration and possible financing for the M3 highway corridor. Regional Borders: Azerbaijan reopened its land border with Georgia for passenger rail, with regular service set to resume May 26—framed as a humanitarian move for families separated since the pandemic, while other crossings stay sealed. Pakistan Link-Up: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Azerbaijan’s economy minister agreed to form a joint working group to expand trade, investment, urban development, agriculture, logistics, tourism, and infrastructure, including talks on a preferential trade arrangement. WUF13 in Full Swing: Baku hosted sessions on disability-inclusive housing, data-driven city governance, transit-oriented development, and circular waste solutions, as global partners trade lessons on making housing commitments real. Armenia Tensions: Armenian election interference claims and a politically motivated prosecution allegation against Arthur Osipyan drew rights-group backlash, while Council of Europe prison statistics reported rising incarceration and heavy pretrial detention in Armenia.

Media Diplomacy: Qatar and Azerbaijan discussed closer media cooperation in Doha, with Qatar Media Corporation CEO Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani meeting Azerbaijan’s ambassador Adish Mammadov to explore ways to deepen ties. Energy Finance Milestone: Moody’s and Fitch marked a major step for Azerbaijan’s Southern Gas Corridor, upgrading the project’s investment-grade standing—shifting the conversation from geopolitics to long-term commercial reliability. Armenia-Russia Tensions: A new wave of claims and counterclaims surrounds Armenia’s handling of Russian citizens detained over alleged espionage tied to filming cultural sites, with experts saying the moves are aimed at damaging Russia-Armenia relations and may reflect election-year pressure. WUF13 Focus on Housing: At the World Urban Forum in Baku, UN-Habitat warned that the world is failing in the shift from emergency aid to long-term development, while civil society leaders stressed NGOs’ role in shaping inclusive urban policy. Trade Corridor Update: Russia-Azerbaijan border cargo volumes rose in early 2026 as the North-South route gains pace.

World Urban Forum momentum in Baku: Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the Punjab Pavilion at WUF13, spotlighting her province’s “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” affordable housing push, which she says has earned top global innovation recognition. Regional transport deal: Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a package covering gas and electricity, plus a protocol to restart passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku after a six-year gap; the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars rail section is also set to begin operating by month-end. Housing crisis spotlight: UN-Habitat used WUF13 to warn that the world is facing a severe housing shortfall, with climate shocks and displacement driving demand for safe, resilient cities. Armenia election pressure: Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary vote is framed as a key test for whether the country stays on a democratic path amid intensifying political tensions. Legal and rights dispute: A newly released ICJ report renews criticism of fair-trial standards in Azerbaijan, focusing on trials tied to Nagorno-Karabakh.

World Urban Forum Momentum: Azerbaijan used WUF13 to push a clear message: cities and transport corridors are the backbone of regional connectivity, with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov linking reconstruction to “smart governance,” green energy and human-centered planning. Shusha Reconstruction Push: In Shusha, new housing is moving fast—three residential complexes (43 buildings, nearly 900 apartments) are under construction, with commissioning slated for next year’s first half, while restoration and resettlement plans also target Turshsu and the tourism-focused Dashalti village. International Partnerships: Azerbaijan signed a Shusha–Trabzon sister-city MoU at WUF13 and hosted talks with Slovakia’s environment deputy PM, with Aliyev stressing gas supplies to 12 European countries. Labor Law Update: Aliyev approved amendments raising employer responsibility to prevent hiring drug addicts, including mandatory medical checks and contract termination if addiction is found. Trade Snapshot: Azerbaijan–Georgia trade hit $451.2m in the first four months of 2026, making Azerbaijan Georgia’s third-largest export partner.

World Urban Forum in Baku: Azerbaijan’s WUF13 keeps pulling world leaders and big ideas into the spotlight, with President Iliana Iotova stressing that cities should be judged by whether the most vulnerable have safety and dignity—not by skyscrapers or tech. People-first housing push: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif told the summit her province is rolling out a $2bn urban development programme focused on roads, drainage, water storage, and resilience, alongside large-scale affordable housing and door-to-door socio-economic data. Regional deals with Georgia: Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a package on energy and transport, including a 20-year gas supply deal and steps to restart passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku from May 26, plus renewed oil transit plans via the Baku-Supsa pipeline. Baku’s expo spotlight: Azerbaijan’s pavilion at Urban Expo opened to visitors, showcasing smart city and smart village plans for liberated territories and green energy ambitions. Diplomacy at the summit: Serbia’s Vucic met Kenya’s Ruto in Baku, discussing economic cooperation and the Kosovo issue.

WUF13 Diplomacy in Motion: Azerbaijan’s World Urban Forum is driving fresh regional deals, with Georgia and Azerbaijan agreeing to extend their gas purchase-and-sale framework for 20 years and to restart daily passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku from May 26 after a six-year pause. Energy Partnerships: Slovakia is reportedly negotiating a minimum 10-year gas supply contract with Azerbaijan as it tries to cut reliance on Russian gas, while Azerbaijan and Türkiye also signed a cooperation agreement on energy efficiency in buildings. Security Drills: In the “EFES-2026” exercise, a task to seize an imaginary vessel was completed successfully. Housing & Resilience Focus: WUF13 panels spotlight climate and housing sustainability from a gender perspective and the role of Turkic “houses” in urban resilience. Human Rights Pressure: Investigative journalist Hafiz Babali and economist Fazil Gasimov have begun a hunger strike, calling for the release of political prisoners.

World Urban Forum in Baku: The 13th UN World Urban Forum opened in Azerbaijan under “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” with more than 32,000 participants from nearly 180 countries debating the housing crisis, climate-resilient cities, and how local governments can lead solutions. High-level diplomacy at WUF13: President Ilham Aliyev met visiting leaders including Pakistan’s Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić, Bulgaria’s Iliana Iotova, and UAE energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei, while Azerbaijan also welcomed Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for a working visit tied to the forum. Water and climate pressure: A new report warns the Caspian Sea is shrinking fast, with falling levels already reshaping Azerbaijan’s coastline and ecosystems. Regional ties and trade: Serbia pushed for a major jump in trade with Azerbaijan, while discussions also highlighted energy and renewable cooperation. Sports: Azerbaijan added two U17 wrestling medals as the week’s competition wrapped up.

World Urban Forum momentum in Baku: Azerbaijan’s WUF13 is in full swing, with the UN flag and Azerbaijan’s state flag raised at the Baku Olympic Stadium as leaders and ministers converge on “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” High-level diplomacy: President Ilham Aliyev held fresh talks with Kenya’s William Ruto on energy, investment and renewable power, met Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, received Eswatini’s King Mswati III, and welcomed Turkmenistan’s Arkadag construction chief—while Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić arrived to join the forum. Energy & climate focus: Azerbaijan says renewable energy’s share could jump sharply as solar and wind projects expand, and WUF13 also elevated utilities as a formal stakeholder group for the first time. Regional business push: The US–Turkic Republics Business Alliance was launched in New York, aiming to connect Turkic entrepreneurs with US partners and investments. Azerbaijan economy signal: ING estimates Azerbaijan’s current account surplus could reach 9–10% of GDP in 2026 amid higher oil prices.

World Urban Forum in Baku: The 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) is set to open in Azerbaijan on May 17-22, with UN-Habitat leadership welcoming the world and Azerbaijan preparing a full program focused on housing, resilient cities, and practical urban solutions. Pakistan’s housing showcase: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif arrived in Baku to represent Pakistan, meet President Ilham Aliyev, and present Punjab’s affordable housing model “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” at the World Leaders Summit. Turkic civil society momentum: Azerbaijan also kicked off the 2nd Solidarity Forum of NGOs of OTS member states in Baku, with cooperation forums planned for Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan-TRNC. Local delivery on the ground: Meanwhile, relocation continues—new convoys are bringing families to Jabrayil’s Shukurbeyli and Khojaly district villages with house keys, alongside ongoing reconstruction including a 150-bed hospital complex. Regional context: Azerbaijan’s WUF13 push follows COP29 and is being framed as a bridge between climate action and sustainable urban planning.

Relocations in Jabrayil and Khojaly: Another convoy reached Shukurbeyli in Jabrayil, with keys handed to 18 families (77 people), while earlier arrivals brought 107 families (453 people) to the village; in Khojaly district, families received apartment keys across Badara, Tazabina, Khanabad, Ballija, Khanyurdu and Dashbulag. Health infrastructure in the liberated territories: Work continues on a 150-bed Jabrayil Central Hospital complex (4.6 hectares), with completion targeted for 2027–2028. Karabakh war remains laid to rest: Missing First Karabakh War servicemen Rafig Jafarov, plus two others, were buried in Fuzuli in ceremonies attended by families and officials. WUF13 momentum in Baku: Preparations are in full swing for the World Urban Forum, with transport and safety planning ramping up as the event draws global attention. OTS civil-society push: Azerbaijan hosted the 2nd Solidarity Forum of NGOs of OTS member states, including plans for joint grant competitions.

WUF13 Logistics Boost: Heydar Aliyev International Airport will run in an enhanced operational mode from May 15–25, with extra coordination on passenger services and security, plus 24/7 airport shuttle buses and dedicated city routes to keep World Urban Forum delegates moving smoothly. Regional Trade Digitalization: Azerbaijan is among TRACECA members pushing the TRACECA Single Transit Permit, a shift from paper permits to one electronic authorization to cut time and costs for carriers. Energy Push: BP says it is advancing Azerbaijan gas output plans—developing deep non-associated gas at ACG and maximizing recovery at Shah Deniz. Transport Disruption: A canal bridge collapse on the Baku–Alat–Gazakh–Georgia highway (km 55) has restricted traffic toward Baku between km 54–56 while repairs are assessed. Eurovision Spotlight: Azerbaijan failed to qualify for the 2026 Grand Final in Vienna, as the contest’s geopolitics and boycotts continue to shape the lineup.

Tech & Creativity: Azercell kicked off the “Baku Flames” festival as Technology and Innovation Partner, with international speakers from Meta, Google and TikTok and winners set to be announced on the second day. Energy & Business: SOCAR appointed Levan Davitashvili as CEO of Italiana Petroli after taking a 99.82% stake, while ING slightly lifted its Azerbaijan inflation outlook for 2026–2027 to 5.4% and 5.2%. Regional Diplomacy: President Ilham Aliyev is in Kazakhstan for the OTS informal summit, pushing Turkic unity and digital cooperation, including plans for the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic line to go live soon. Green Transition: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan advanced the Green Energy Corridor, aiming to expand renewable power links for clean electricity exports. Eurovision: Azerbaijan’s JIVA (Jamila Hashimova) performed in the second semi-final but did not qualify for the final. Trade & Food Security: Wheat continues moving to Armenia via transit through Azerbaijan, with another 14 railcars reported on the way.

Eurovision Shockwave: Australia’s Delta Goodrem booked her place in the Eurovision 2026 grand final after a standout “Eclipse” performance, while Azerbaijan’s entry was eliminated in the second semi-final as the final lineup was confirmed. Karabakh Reconstruction: Shushakend in Khojaly is entering a “new era of revival” with power, water, gas, roads and communications being restored, and Zangilan continues resettlement with families receiving apartment keys. Global South in Baku: Azerbaijan hosted the first General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform under WUF13, adopting a final declaration and framework for the group’s next five years. Green Finance & Diamonds: Azerbaijan’s banking sector allocated AZN 371 mln to green and sustainable projects in 2025, and new cabinet rules tighten rough diamond control and certification. Oil Watch: Azeri Light is trading above $115 as OPEC updates demand and non-OPEC+ supply forecasts.