UNESCO official: Azerbaijan has proven itself in organizing large-scale international events
BAKU, May 15, AZERTAC
“The decision to hold WUF13 in Baku appears entirely logical from several perspectives. Azerbaijan has already proven itself in organizing large-scale international events. In particular, the logistical capabilities, institutional coordination, and the ability to manage complex international processes demonstrated during COP29 clearly illustrated this. Naturally, this potential did not emerge by chance. However, what I consider more important is another aspect: today, Azerbaijan is gaining international prestige not only as a host country but also as a "party that knows how to listen." The clear and consistent strategic vision demonstrated by President Ilham Aliyev plays a crucial role in this process,” Benedetto Zacchiroli, director of DiverCity, the UNESCO ICCAR Youth Bootcamp for Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and President of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) said in an interview with AZERTAC.
He noted that Azerbaijan has established itself as a global dialogue platform – a space where diverse views, different ideas, and varying interests converge.
"It is not just about providing a physical venue. The main issue is creating the conditions for real dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation within that environment. This is especially important today because many international forums face the risk of turning into parallel monologues rather than mutual dialogue. In my opinion, holding WUF13 in Baku shows an acknowledgment that urban development issues cannot be solved from a single perspective, and that the host country’s most important role is to create conditions for sincere and open dialogue. Azerbaijan clearly understands this approach deeply. That is why Baku creates the impression of being the right choice for this Forum, not only from an organizational standpoint but also in terms of content and strategic approach," Zacchiroli added.
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