From 17–22 May 2026, Azerbaijan hosted the World Urban Forum (WUF 13), one of the world’s most important international platforms dedicated to sustainable urban development. Following a competitive selection process, the session proposed by EkoSfera Ecological-Social Center was officially selected by UN-Habitat and included in the WUF 13 programme.
As part of the forum programme, EkoSfera Ecological-Social Center organised a session dedicated to sustainability standards and practical approaches for implementing sustainable development at the local level. The session introduced the Sustainable Practices Standard (SPS), the first national sustainability standard being developed in Azerbaijan to support the practical application of sustainability principles across different sectors and regions.
During the discussion on sustainability standards and certification systems, Dilara Hajiyeva, Blue Flag National Coordinator for Azerbaijan, highlighted the importance of the Blue Flag Programme as a globally recognised environmental programme. The programme was presented as an example of how internationally recognised standards can support environmental protection, improve management practices, promote environmental education, and contribute to sustainable tourism development.
In addition to Blue Flag, participants were also introduced to other international programmes of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), including Green Key and Eco-Schools. These programmes were presented as practical tools that help tourism facilities, educational institutions, and local communities integrate sustainability principles into their daily activities and contribute to wider environmental and sustainability goals.
The discussion emphasised the importance of combining international programmes with locally adapted sustainability frameworks to strengthen sustainability practices and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The World Urban Forum provided an important opportunity to raise awareness on the Blue Flag Programme and other FEE initiatives among an international audience of urban development professionals, environmental experts, policymakers, and sustainability practitioners.
As Azerbaijan recently received approval of its Blue Flag feasibility study, WUF 13 served as an important platform to introduce the programme and highlight its benefits among national and international stakeholders, supporting the next steps in the development of Blue Flag in Azerbaijan.