Iran presented urban regeneration experiences at the World Urban Forum in Baku / Minab pavilion set up in Baku

According to the Public Relations of the Iranian Urban Regeneration Company, Meysam Degti, the company's international affairs consultant, referring to the holding of this forum from May 17 to June 1405 in the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the theme "World Housing; Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities", said: "The World Urban Forum (WUF) is the most important international event in the field of urban policy-making and is a place where governments, NGOs, universities, experts, companies and international institutions from around the world present their latest experiences and achievements. Iran's presence in this forum is particularly important for introducing urban regeneration experiences and presenting facts related to the effects of war on urban infrastructure."

Ministerial Meeting and Iran’s Message to the World Urban Forum

Referring to the message of the Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran presented at the WUF-13 Ministerial Meeting, Dakhti added: “The official message of the Minister addressed in detail and documented the damage to the country’s infrastructure and residential units. The message emphasized that about 150,000 residential units were destroyed and a large number of citizens were rendered homeless. Also, during the recent war, the country’s vital infrastructure, including bridges, roads and railways, which are the foundations of a safe and resilient urban environment, were damaged.”

He added: “The message also emphasized the fact that while this forum is talking about safe and resilient cities, many children in the world are still waking up to the sound of bombing and their homes are being targeted.” The Minister of Roads and Urban Development specifically mentioned the loss of more than 270 students, including students from the “Shajra Tayyiba” school in Minab.

Iran's Initiative in Presenting Urban Regeneration Experiences

The International Affairs Advisor of the Iranian Urban Regeneration Company explained: Despite the pressures resulting from sanctions and international conditions, the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the most active countries in the region in the field of urban regeneration. Developing housing for low-income groups, expanding infrastructure services, reducing multidimensional deprivation, implementing regeneration programs with the direct participation of residents of underprivileged neighborhoods, strengthening risk management and urban resilience, and moving towards renewable energies and smart cities are some of the programs that were presented in a transparent and documented manner at this forum.

Minab's booth at Urban Expo

Dakhti, referring to Iran's initiative in the exhibition section and the presence of Minab Municipality, added: At the Urban Expo, a completely dedicated booth centered on Minab has been created; the purpose of this booth is to convey the voice of the people of Minab, reflect the message of the affected families, and display local works and narratives of the consequences of the war. This pavilion has attracted particular attention from UN-Habitat representatives, civil society organizations, and delegations from various countries.

According to him, Iran’s focus in this pavilion is on three main axes:

The effects of war on the lives of children and women
Damage to urban infrastructure and vital services
The need for global solidarity to protect cities from military attacks

Iran’s urban diplomacy in Baku

Meysam Deghati said about Iran’s international interactions at this event: On the sidelines of the forum, the delegation of the Urban Regeneration Company held numerous meetings with country officials, UN-Habitat managers, urban planning experts, and representatives of specialized organizations. In these meetings, Iran’s successful models in urban regeneration and methods of social participation in underprivileged neighborhoods were presented, and the possibility of implementing joint international projects was discussed.

Emphasis on Prohibition of Attacks on Cities in the Review of the New Urban Agenda

He added: Iran has also requested that the mid-term review of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) include a special clause on the prohibition of attacks on cities and the destruction of civilian infrastructure so that the international community has a clear and binding position against actions that directly threaten citizens, urban services, and the future of children.

The International Affairs Advisor of the Iranian Urban Regeneration Company concluded by saying: Iran’s presence in WUF-13 is not merely a ceremonial participation; this presence is a strategic opportunity to express realities, present experiences, develop international cooperation, and expand urban diplomacy. We are trying to use this capacity to accelerate the reconstruction process, strengthen resilience, utilize new technologies, and improve the quality of life of citizens.

It should be noted that in addition to Meysam Degti, Fereydoun Babaei Aghdam, a member of the Board of Directors of the Regeneration Company, and Kamal Nozari, Director General of the Office of the National Headquarters for Sustainable Urban Regeneration, are present in the Regeneration Company's delegation.