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