![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG-20260413-WA0076-300x298.jpg\")
Azerbaijan has called for greater inclusion of civil society in global decision-making processes, positioning itself as a key partner for African stakeholders during the ongoing Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Ramil Iskandarli, a representative of the Azerbaijani National NGO Forum, emphasized the growing importance of collaboration between governments and grassroots organizations in addressing urban challenges across the Global South.<\/p>\n
Iskandarli noted that Azerbaijan is participating in the forum through a broad delegation that includes government agencies, diplomatic representatives, and civil society actors. Among them are institutions such as the Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, the State Agency to Support NGOs, and the Azerbaijani Embassy.<\/p>\n
However, he stressed that civil society remains at the heart of Azerbaijan\u2019s engagement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is ensuring that the voices of communities are heard. Civil society organizations play a critical role in presenting real challenges from the ground and offering innovative solutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
A key highlight of Azerbaijan\u2019s involvement is its leadership in establishing the Global South NGO Platform, an initiative launched in Baku in April last year. The platform brings together civil society organizations from more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and small island developing states.<\/p>\n
The initiative was born out of discussions during COP29, also hosted in Baku, and aims to strengthen the role of NGOs in shaping global responses to climate change, urbanization, and sustainable development.<\/p>\n
According to Iskandarli, the platform seeks to amplify the voices of communities most affected by rapid urbanization and climate pressures, ensuring their concerns are reflected in international forums.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to create a unified voice for the Global South, particularly on issues such as climate justice, affordable housing, and sustainable cities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Africa Urban Forum is also seen as a precursor to the upcoming World Urban Forum, which will be hosted in Baku. Azerbaijan is positioning the event as an opportunity to bring grassroots perspectives to the global stage.<\/p>\n
Discussions at both forums are expected to focus on key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and Goal 17 on partnerships for development.<\/p>\n
Iskandarli said Azerbaijan is keen to learn from African countries\u2019 experiences and incorporate those insights into the global dialogue in Baku.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are here to engage with African civil society, understand their challenges, and ensure these perspectives are reflected during the World Urban Forum,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
He added that partnerships with African organizations are already taking shape, citing collaborations with regional groups such as the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance and other civil society actors.<\/p>\n
Beyond institutional engagement, Iskandarli highlighted the importance of youth participation in urban development discussions. He noted that young people are increasingly informed about issues such as waste management, climate change, and housing, particularly through global events and awareness campaigns.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people must not only participate but also play a role in decision-making. Their voices are essential for shaping sustainable urban futures,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also underscored the role of civil society in driving innovation, especially in addressing urban challenges like waste management, where community-driven solutions often emerge.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Azerbaijan is preparing to host partner-led events in collaboration with UN-Habitat in the lead-up to the World Urban Forum, with invitations already extended to African NGOs.<\/p>\n
Iskandarli expressed optimism about deepening ties with Kenyan and African civil society organizations, describing the relationship as strong and growing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to welcoming our African partners to Baku and continuing this collaboration at a global level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of Africa Urban Forum, the call for inclusive participation and stronger partnerships is expected to remain central, with civil society increasingly seen as a key driver of sustainable urban development worldwide. Azerbaijan has called for greater inclusion of civil society in global decision-making processes, positioning itself as a key partner for African stakeholders during the ongoing Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Ramil Iskandarli, a representative of the Azerbaijani National NGO Forum, emphasized the growing importance of collaboration between governments and grassroots organizations in addressing urban challenges across the Global South.<\/p>\n
Iskandarli noted that Azerbaijan is participating in the forum through a broad delegation that includes government agencies, diplomatic representatives, and civil society actors. Among them are institutions such as the Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, the State Agency to Support NGOs, and the Azerbaijani Embassy.<\/p>\n
However, he stressed that civil society remains at the heart of Azerbaijan\u2019s engagement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is ensuring that the voices of communities are heard. Civil society organizations play a critical role in presenting real challenges from the ground and offering innovative solutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
A key highlight of Azerbaijan\u2019s involvement is its leadership in establishing the Global South NGO Platform, an initiative launched in Baku in April last year. The platform brings together civil society organizations from more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and small island developing states.<\/p>\n
The initiative was born out of discussions during COP29, also hosted in Baku, and aims to strengthen the role of NGOs in shaping global responses to climate change, urbanization, and sustainable development.<\/p>\n
According to Iskandarli, the platform seeks to amplify the voices of communities most affected by rapid urbanization and climate pressures, ensuring their concerns are reflected in international forums.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to create a unified voice for the Global South, particularly on issues such as climate justice, affordable housing, and sustainable cities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Africa Urban Forum is also seen as a precursor to the upcoming World Urban Forum, which will be hosted in Baku. Azerbaijan is positioning the event as an opportunity to bring grassroots perspectives to the global stage.<\/p>\n
Discussions at both forums are expected to focus on key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and Goal 17 on partnerships for development.<\/p>\n
Iskandarli said Azerbaijan is keen to learn from African countries\u2019 experiences and incorporate those insights into the global dialogue in Baku.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are here to engage with African civil society, understand their challenges, and ensure these perspectives are reflected during the World Urban Forum,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
He added that partnerships with African organizations are already taking shape, citing collaborations with regional groups such as the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance and other civil society actors.<\/p>\n
Beyond institutional engagement, Iskandarli highlighted the importance of youth participation in urban development discussions. He noted that young people are increasingly informed about issues such as waste management, climate change, and housing, particularly through global events and awareness campaigns.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people must not only participate but also play a role in decision-making. Their voices are essential for shaping sustainable urban futures,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also underscored the role of civil society in driving innovation, especially in addressing urban challenges like waste management, where community-driven solutions often emerge.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Azerbaijan is preparing to host partner-led events in collaboration with UN-Habitat in the lead-up to the World Urban Forum, with invitations already extended to African NGOs.<\/p>\n
Iskandarli expressed optimism about deepening ties with Kenyan and African civil society organizations, describing the relationship as strong and growing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to welcoming our African partners to Baku and continuing this collaboration at a global level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of Africa Urban Forum, the call for inclusive participation and stronger partnerships is expected to remain central, with civil society increasingly seen as a key driver of sustainable urban development worldwide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Njeri Irungu, Nairobi, April 2026. Azerbaijan has called for greater inclusion of civil society in global decision-making processes, positioning…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[148,32,132,108,153,31,47],"tags":[569,568,570,571],"class_list":["post-5642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-agriculture","category-business","category-environment","category-general-news","category-news","category-politics","category-power-corridor-chatter","tag-auf","tag-azerbaijan","tag-baku","tag-world-urban-forum"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5642"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5644,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5642\/revisions\/5644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsroomhub.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}