Baku, May 18 (QNA) - The State of Qatar participated in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), which kicked off Sunday in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan and runs until May 22 under the theme "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities."

The WUF is organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), with the participation of a number of officials, decision-makers and experts concerned with urban development and housing from various countries of the world.

HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah led the State of Qatar's delegation at the forum.

HE the Minister of Municipality participated in the opening ceremony, which was attended by HE President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, along with a number of senior officials and international decision-makers. He also participated in the ministerial meeting, which addressed issues of sustainable urban expansion, housing policies, and digital transformation in urban planning.

In a speech delivered during the forum, His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar, based on its National Vision 2030, adopts an integrated planning approach that links sustainable urban development, modern transport networks, and environmental sustainability, in a way that contributes to enhancing the quality of life and raising the efficiency of resource use.

His Excellency said that building sustainable cities is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity to ensure quality of life and enhance the ability of societies to face future challenges, including climate change and rapid economic and technological transformations.

His Excellency pointed to the pivotal role played by the public transport system, especially the Doha Metro network, in supporting balanced urban development, reducing emissions, and enhancing connectivity between different urban areas.

HE the Minister of Municipality also addressed the State of Qatar's experience in developing pioneering urban projects, especially Lusail City and Msheireb Downtown Doha, as two models that reflect the state's commitment to developing advanced urban communities that combine sustainability, innovation and quality of life.

His Excellency pointed out that digital transformation has become one of the main pillars in the development of modern cities, through the use of geographic information systems, digital twins, and artificial intelligence technologies, which enhances the efficiency of data-based urban planning and supports knowledge-based decision-making.

Concluding his speech, HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah stressed the significance of the WUF as an international platform to promote cooperation and exchange experiences and successful practices, which contributes to shaping a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban future for future generations.

It also reflects the State of Qatar's commitment to actively contributing to international efforts aimed at developing more efficient and sustainable cities. (QNA)