Saudi Arabia seeks partnerships for urban development at WUF13 in Baku
Saudi delegation participates in World Urban Forum to explore housing, smart city collaborations.
RIYADH: International partnerships on housing, smart cities and urban development are expected to strengthen as senior Saudi ministry officials participate in the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan.
The Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, is attending the 13th edition of the UN-backed forum in Baku, which runs from May 17 to 22 and brings together policymakers, investors and urban development specialists from around the world, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia is ramping up investment in housing, infrastructure and smart city projects as the Kingdom pushes ahead with an urban transformation drive tied to Vision 2030.
Megaprojects including NEOM, Diriyah, Qiddiya and New Murabba are central to plans aimed at diversifying the economy, improving quality of life and increasing homeownership.
Mohammed Al-Rasasimah said the Kingdom's participation in the forum reflects its ongoing drive to build more sustainable and efficient cities, improve urban quality of life, and showcase progress achieved in the municipal and housing sectors.
He added: “The ministry’s participation in the World Urban Forum reflects the progress the Kingdom has made in the areas of urban development and housing, and underscores its role in exchanging expertise and building international partnerships that contribute to shaping the future of cities, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030”.
At the forum, Saudi officials are scheduled to participate in ministerial and policy discussions focused on urban finance, governance, growth management and international cooperation.
The talks are expected to focus on Saudi Arabia’s experience in large-scale city transformation projects, including the integration of digital technologies and sustainable urban planning models.
The government has set a target of raising homeownership rates to 70 percent by 2030 while expanding integrated urban developments, increasing private sector participation in housing and deploying digital technologies in city management and municipal services.
On the sidelines of the forum, Al-Hogail met Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov to discuss cooperation in housing, urban planning and infrastructure development.
The discussions also covered Saudi Arabia's experience in urban planning and city transformation, including the development of sustainable urban environments supported by innovation and infrastructure modernization.
The two sides explored cooperation opportunities in housing investments, urban planning and smart city management solutions.
Saudi Arabia’s delegation includes senior officials representing government, semi-governmental, private-sector and nonprofit organizations involved in urban development and housing, underscoring what officials described as a coordinated national approach to sustainable urban transformation.
As part of its participation, the Kingdom is hosting a national pavilion spanning more than 1,000 sq.
meters and featuring over 20 public and private-sector entities involved in housing and urban development.
The pavilion highlights real estate investment opportunities, digital housing platforms including Sakani, and the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics in municipal and housing services.
National Housing Co., part of the Saudi delegation, is also showcasing integrated residential community projects focused on expanding housing supply and incorporating smart technologies and green spaces into urban developments.
The World Urban Forum, organized by the UN Human Settlements Programme, is one of the world’s largest international gatherings focused on sustainable urbanization and the future of cities.
The Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, is attending the 13th edition of the UN-backed forum in Baku, which runs from May 17 to 22 and brings together policymakers, investors and urban development specialists from around the world, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia is ramping up investment in housing, infrastructure and smart city projects as the Kingdom pushes ahead with an urban transformation drive tied to Vision 2030.
Megaprojects including NEOM, Diriyah, Qiddiya and New Murabba are central to plans aimed at diversifying the economy, improving quality of life and increasing homeownership.
Mohammed Al-Rasasimah said the Kingdom's participation in the forum reflects its ongoing drive to build more sustainable and efficient cities, improve urban quality of life, and showcase progress achieved in the municipal and housing sectors.
He added: “The ministry’s participation in the World Urban Forum reflects the progress the Kingdom has made in the areas of urban development and housing, and underscores its role in exchanging expertise and building international partnerships that contribute to shaping the future of cities, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030”.
At the forum, Saudi officials are scheduled to participate in ministerial and policy discussions focused on urban finance, governance, growth management and international cooperation.
The talks are expected to focus on Saudi Arabia’s experience in large-scale city transformation projects, including the integration of digital technologies and sustainable urban planning models.
The government has set a target of raising homeownership rates to 70 percent by 2030 while expanding integrated urban developments, increasing private sector participation in housing and deploying digital technologies in city management and municipal services.
On the sidelines of the forum, Al-Hogail met Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov to discuss cooperation in housing, urban planning and infrastructure development.
The discussions also covered Saudi Arabia's experience in urban planning and city transformation, including the development of sustainable urban environments supported by innovation and infrastructure modernization.
The two sides explored cooperation opportunities in housing investments, urban planning and smart city management solutions.
Saudi Arabia’s delegation includes senior officials representing government, semi-governmental, private-sector and nonprofit organizations involved in urban development and housing, underscoring what officials described as a coordinated national approach to sustainable urban transformation.
As part of its participation, the Kingdom is hosting a national pavilion spanning more than 1,000 sq.
meters and featuring over 20 public and private-sector entities involved in housing and urban development.
The pavilion highlights real estate investment opportunities, digital housing platforms including Sakani, and the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics in municipal and housing services.
National Housing Co., part of the Saudi delegation, is also showcasing integrated residential community projects focused on expanding housing supply and incorporating smart technologies and green spaces into urban developments.
The World Urban Forum, organized by the UN Human Settlements Programme, is one of the world’s largest international gatherings focused on sustainable urbanization and the future of cities.
