Kirja edastamine

State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of The Republic of Azerbaijan a) IJNHABJAT Saku, 07072023 Hon. Tiit Riisalo, Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology of the Republic of Estonia Dear Mr. Rilsalo, We have the honour and privilege to invite you to the upcoming 2nd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum and The Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2023 in Azerbaijan. Urban planning and city development play a vital role in driving progress towards achieving sustainable development. Given the ongoing global urbanization trends, the weight and value of these development agenda items are further reinforced by multiple country- specific challenges and opportunities. The Republic of Azerbaijan represents one of such countries. While proactively supporting and promoting the localisation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 has been considered a vita) building block for the country’s overall post-conflict socio-economic reintegration priorities. This, in turn, underpins the intrinsic value of the New Urban Agenda offering an action-oriented universal framework for sustainable housing. Sharing experience and learning from each other is one of the preconditions for the overall success in both national and sub-regional sustainable development endeavors. In light of the above-mentioned development efforts, the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan jointly with the UN-Habitat will organize the 2023 Urban Week, a chain of events to mark the importance of sustainable urbanization processes. The Urban Week will commence with the 2nd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum (NUFA2) on 29 September 2023. Over the course of three days, NUFA2 will be the second non-legislative event convened by the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and bring together a wide range of key urban stakeholders and participants, both from Azerbaijan and also internationally. NUFA2 will be held in the cities of Zangilan and Baku. While NUFA2 aims to discuss emerging key urban challenges, ongoing projects and the vision for the urban future in the Republic of Azerbaijan, it will also show-case international experiences in the related field to stimulate local action. Given the global importance of post- Azarbaycan Respublikasi Xarici t5Iar Nazirliyi ZIN Daxiloirna nomrasi: 3-20/1-4-29101/2023 tarixi: 13.07.2023 conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, NUFA2 will be focusing on the role of urban productivity and economic growth, hereby fully deploying the potential of the SDGs and the NUA for economic resilience and transition to a circular economy. The Urban Week will be concluded by the celebration of the Global Observance of the World Habitat Day (WHD) on 2 October 2023 in the city of Baku; themed Resilient Urban Economies - Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery”, WHD will celebrate the role of urban economies to benefit residents, increase productivity and contribute to national development (Please find the draft agenda attached). We believe that these events will enable us to celebrate achievements while also facing both current as well as emerging challenges in urban planning and city development. It will further strengthen existing and enable new partnerships and networking towards more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable urbanization at local, national and global levels. Additional information on the above-mentioned events, including the agenda, timetables for speaking slots, concept and logistics notes as well as registration for participants will be available on the official website of the event at https:i/nufa.az ftom 25 July 2023. We count on your valuable contribution to the upcoming events and would be grateful for confirming your attendance and expression of interest, in case of your desire to contribute with a presentation andior speech as well on the relevant topics until 5th of September, 2023. Please, note that flight costs, accommodation and in-country travel expenses will be covered by the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Should you require any further information, please contact us by e-mail at Q1nufaaz, mobile phone number: +994 51 484 49 47 (WhatsApp enabled) or request information through the https://nula.az website. We look forward to welcoming you in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration. Yours sincerely, Anar Guliyev Malmunah Mohd Sharif Chairman of the State Committee Under-Secretary-General on Urban Planning and Architecture Executive Director, UN-Hébitat of the Republic of Azerbaijan  0 UN- HAS flAT State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan AZERBAIJAN NATIONAL URBAN FORUM#2 RESILIENT CITIES AS A DRIVING FORCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FIGHTING INEQUALITIES 29 SEPTEMBER —01 OCTOBER, 2023 ZANGiLAN and BAKU, AZERBAIJAN AGENDA (DRAFT) DAY 1: 29 September 2023, “Oxcucay centre”, Zangilan city Departure from hotel in Baku to Heydar AIiyev international Airport, flight to Zangilan 01•3o — 0930 International Airport, arrival to venue location in Zangilan city . 09:30 — 10:00 Registration Opening Ceremony of Azerbaijan National Urban Forum#2 10:00 — 10:15 High level representative of the Government of Azerbaijan Maimunah Mohd Sharif 1015—1010 . Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme Special session: Rebuilding together collaborative approaches for regional resilience and - 10:30— 13:00 sustaInable development Moderated by (TBC) Speaking slot 1. Resilience and sustainable development: strategies, actions and international collaboration opportunities: . Presentation 1030— 11.30 • Presentation I • Presentation Q&A session 11:30 — 12:00 Coffee Break! Networking  Speaking slot 2. From desolation to resilience: the path to a Defter future: . Presentation 12:00-13:00 • Presentation . Presentation Q&A session Ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Turkic States (side event/parallel session) Roundtabl, discussions: addressing regional challenges and cooperation opportunities 10:30 — 12:45 to achieve sustainable development goals at the regional level a Relevant presentations: each country presents a case study of their preference topic (optional) 13:00 — 14:30 Lunch Break! Networking 14:30 —16.00 • Presentation of ongoing recovery projects in Zangilan city: site visit to Aal’ smart village. Arrival to Zangilan international Airport, departure to Baku Heydar Aiiyev International 1600 — 1820 - Airport, arrival to the hotel in Baku DAY 2: 30 September 2023, Marrlot Hotel Boulevard, Baku city Thematic Al the entrance to the venue Exhibition 09:00 — 09:30 Registration Ministerial Roundtable of the OrganIzation of the Turkic States (side event/parallel session) Fostering Regional Partnerships for Sustainable Development 09:30 — 10:30 • Relevant presentations and discussions: developing a plan of intent for future collaborations and partnerships (optional, depending on the availability of officials) 09:30 — 11:30 Session 1: Governance and financing for sustainaDle urban development Moderated by (TBC) 09:30—11:00 Speaking slot 3. Governing for the future: unlocking sustainable urban development through effective governance mechanisms: • Presentation • Presentation • Presentation Q&A session 11:00 — 11:15 Coffee Break! Networking 11:15 — 12:30 Speaking slot 4. Investing in sustainable future — strategies for urban development and growth: . Presentation . Presentation . Presentation Q&A session 12:30 — 14:00 Lunch Break? Networking SessIon 2: EnvIronmental sustalnability as the backbone of resilience 14O0 . — Moderated by (TBC) 14:00 — 15:00 Speaking slot 5. Climate change and urban resilience: strategic approaches and solutions: . Presentation . Presentation . Presentation . Presentation Q&A session Session 3: LeveragIng technology and Innovation for future cities 15oo —1600 Moderated by (TBC) 15:00 — 16:00 Speaking slot 6. The role of digitalization in driving sustainable urban growtfl: . Presentation . Presentation . Presentation a Presentation Q&A session 16:00 — 16:15 coffee Break .tt 16:15 — 17:00 Speaking slot 7. The importance of data for future of cities: . Presentation • Presentation a Presentation ! Q&A session  DAY 3: 01 October 2023, Marriot Hotel Boulevard, Baku city Thematic At the entrance to the venue exhibition 09:00 — 09:30 Registration Session 4: Ensuring access to services for all 0930 . — 11 3O Moderated by (TBC) 09:30 — 10:30 Speaking slot 8: Inclusive Urban Development: . Presentation . Presentation . Presentation Q&A session 10:30 —11:30 Speaking slot 9. importance of urban mobility in driving sustainable urban development: . Presentation . Presentation . Presentation Q&A session 11:30— 12:00 Coffee Break 12:00 — 12:45 Speaking slot 10. Healthy titles, thriving communities: enhancing quality of life through urban planning: a Presentation a Presentation . Presentation Q&A session 12:45 — 13:00 ClosIng remarks 13:00— 14:00 Lunch Break! NetworkIng 14:00 — 18:00 Cultural programlsite seeing  WORLD HABITAT DAY 2023 AGENDA (DRAFT) RESILIENT URBAN ECONOMIES: CITIES AS DRIVERS OF GROWTH AND RECOVERY Monday 02 October 2023 Grand Hall, Marriot Hotel Boulevard, Baku City 09:00 — 09:55 Registration of attendees Thematic At the entrance to the venue exhibition 10:00 — 10:05 Opening Address by Master of Ceremony 10:05 — 10:15 Welcome Address by High Level representative of the Government of Azerbaijan (TBC) 10:15— 10:30 Welcome Address by Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme 10:30 — 10:45 Welcome Address by Anar Guliyev, Chairman, State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan 10:45 — 11:00 Recorded Video Message from Mr. Guterres, United Nations Secretary General 11:00 —11:15 Cultural Performance I Urban cinema 11:15— 11:45 Coffee Break 11:45 — 12:10 Statements and addresses by International/National Urban Expert(s) 12:10 — 12:30 PresentatIon 2023 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Awards (Nominees called to podium) 12:30 — 12:55 BrIef Statements by recipients of UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Awards 12:55 — 13:00 Group Photos 13:00 — 14:00 Lunch Break / Nefriorking 09:00 — 16:00 ExhibitIon 14:00 — 16:00 World Habitat Day Parallel SesslonslRoundtables (with 3 presentations each and Q&A sessions each) • Cities as national and regional drivers of soclo-economic resilience and growth (tbc) . Post-conflict urban recovery (tbc) 16:00 — 19:00 SIte visits in Baku . TBC . TBC 1930 —2100 — Gala Dinner