Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah with Qatar’s delegation participating in the forum.
Doha, Qatar: Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah headed the State of Qatar’s delegation participating in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), hosted by Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan from May 17 to 22, 2026, under the theme “Global Housing: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
The forum is organised by United Nations Human Settlements Programme, with the participation of officials, decision-makers, and experts concerned with urban development and housing from around the world.
Minister of Municipality participated in the opening ceremony of the forum and the accompanying exhibition, attended by Ilham Aliyev, along with a number of senior international officials and decision-makers.
The Minister also took part in the ministerial meeting held alongside the forum, which discussed key issues related to the future of cities, including sustainable urban expansion, housing policies, enhancing cities’ resilience to climate challenges, and supporting innovation and digital transformation in urban planning.
During his speech, the Minister of Municipality affirmed that the State of Qatar, guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030, adopts an integrated planning approach that links sustainable urban development, modern transportation networks, and environmental sustainability, contributing to improving quality of life and enhancing resource efficiency.
He stated: “Building sustainable cities is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity to ensure quality of life and strengthen communities’ ability to face future challenges, including climate change and rapid economic and technological transformations.”
He also highlighted the pivotal role played by the public transportation system, particularly the Doha Metro network, in supporting balanced urban development, reducing emissions, and enhancing connectivity between different urban areas.
Furthermore, the Minister reviewed Qatar’s experience in developing pioneering urban projects, notably Lusail City and Msheireb Downtown Doha, as two models reflecting the country’s commitment to creating advanced urban communities that combine sustainability, innovation, and quality of life.
He stressed that digital transformation has become one of the key pillars in developing modern cities through the use of geographic information systems, digital twins, and artificial intelligence technologies, enhancing the efficiency of data-driven urban planning and supporting knowledge-based decision-making.
The Minister concluded his speech by emphasising the importance of the World Urban Forum as an international platform for strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise and successful experiences, contributing to shaping a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban future for coming generations, while reflecting Qatar’s commitment to actively contributing to international efforts aimed at developing more efficient and sustainable cities.
Minister of Municipality
H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah held a number of meetings on the sidelines of his participation in the World Urban Forum currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijani, under the theme: “Global Housing: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
Al Attiyah met with Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing of the Federal Republic of Somalia H E Ayub Ismail Yusuf. The Minister also met with Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan H E Kamaladdin Heydarov.
In addition, Al Attiyah met with Secretary of State in charge of Housing under the Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy of the Kingdom of Morocco Adib Benbrahim.
Minister of Municipality also met with Palestinian Minister of Local Government in the Palestinian government H E Sami Hijjawi.
The meetings discussed prospects for cooperation between the State of Qatar and the brotherly and friendly countries, as well as the exchange of views on a number of issues of mutual interest, particularly in the fields of urban development, housing, and municipal services.
