Date: 17 – 22 May 2026
Format: In person
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
The World Urban Forum (WUF) is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), convened by UN-Habitat, will bring together a wide range of urban stakeholders to explore solutions to the growing global housing crisis and to position housing as a foundation for safe and resilient cities and communities.
If you’re attending WUF13 in Baku, come meet and engage with Cities4Children members across the sessions listed below. We will continue to update session details to reflect any last‑minute changes
7 Cities4Children events at WUF13
Sunday, 17th May
Assemblies: Children and Youth Assembly
Sunday, 17th May | 13.00 – 17.00 | Special Session Room A
Cities4Children Member Organisations: UN-Habitat, Van Leer Foundation, World Vision International
A dedicated space for youth voices and intergenerational exchange at WUF13, bringing together young people, practitioners, and partners shaping child‑friendly urban futures. It seeks to harness the energy and innovative capacity of children and youth, steering it into productive discourse and actions that positively impact urban policies and practices.
Speakers/Facilitators: Aline Rahbany (World Vision International) · Imtiaz Ahmed (Young Campaigner – Save the Children/ Global Alliance – Cities4Children) . Joyati Das (Healthy Cities for Adolescents/ Ecorys) . Victoria Chavez (Van Leer Foundation) .
Tuesday, 19th May
Urban Library: Cities for Children and Youth: Resources to Transform Cities and Slums
Tuesday, 19th May | 12.00 – 13.00 |Urban Library, Room A
Cities4Children Member Organisations: UN-Habitat, C40, FIA Foundation, Global Designing Cities Initiative, Save the Children, Van Leer Foundation, World Vision
Showcasing new research and practical guidance on making cities and informal settlements better for and with children and youth.
Moderator: Sarah Sabry (Global Alliance – Cities4Children/ Save the Children)
Speakers: Abhimanyu Prakash (Global Designing Cities Initiative) . Aline Rahbany (World Vision International) · Anupama Nallari (Save the Children) · Atsani Ariobowo (FIA Foundation) · Hélène Chartier (C40) · Murtaza Haidary (World Vision International) . Victoria Chavez (Van Leer Foundation)
Wednesday, 20th May
Dialogue: Transforming Informal Settlements and Slums
Wednesday, 20th May | 09.30 – 11.30 |Dialogue Room A
Cities4Children Member Organisations: UN-Habitat, Save the Children
A high‑level discussion on inclusive approaches to informality, upgrading, and resilience.
Speaker: Sarah Sabry (Global Alliance – Cities4Children/ Save the Children)
Urban Library: Guide to creating urban public Spaces for children
Wednesday, 20th May | 12.00 – 13:00 |Urban Library, Room A
Cities4Children Member Organisations: UN-Habitat, UNICEF, Van Leer Foundation, International Play Association,
A UN‑Habitat – Van Leer Foundation session showcasing the Guide to Creating Urban Public SPACES for Children
Speakers: Jose Chong (UN-Habitat) . Sudeshna Chatterjee (WRI India/International Play Association) . Victoria Chavez (Van Leer Foundation)
Thursday, 21st May
Children and Youth Roundtable: How can cities be co-designed with young people to create truly liveable urban futures?
Thursday, 21st May | 13.00 – 15:00 |Roundtable Room B
Cities4Children Member Organisations: UN-Habitat, Save the Children
An interactive roundtable positioning children and youth as partners in urban governance, planning and design.
Speaker: Imtiaz Ahmed (Young Campaigner – Save the Children/ Global Alliance – Cities4Children) . Sarah Sabry (Global Alliance – Cities4Children/ Save the Children)
SDGs in Action: Public Spaces from Early Childhood
Thursday, 21st May | 16:00 – 17:30 |SDG-B 09
Cities4Children Member Organisations: UN-Habitat, Van Leer Foundation
A joint UN‑Habitat – Van Leer Foundation session exploring how public spaces can support early childhood development in cities.
Speakers: Jose Chong (UN-Habitat) . Atsani Ariobowo (FIA Foundation) . Victoria Chavez (Van Leer Foundation)
Networking Event: Youth perspectives on urban liveability: An intergenerational dialogue on intermediary cities
Thursday, 21st May | 16:00 – 17:30 | Multipurpose Room 2
Cities4Children Member Organisations: Healthy Cities for Adolescents/ Ecorys, UN-Habitat, World Vision International
A dialogue session led by Healthy Cities for Adolescents/ Ecorys to discuss liveability issues faced by young people in cities.
Moderator: Joyati Das (Healthy Cities for Adolescents/ Ecorys)
Speakers: Aline Rahbany (World Vision International) . Shamoy Hajare (UN-Habitat)
