Baku: The State of Qatar participated in the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, focusing on the theme "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities." A delegation from the Ministry of Social Development and Family, led by Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs Fahd Mohammed Al Khayarin, represented Qatar at the forum.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Qatari delegation comprised several senior officials and specialists. This involvement underscores Qatar's dedication to enhancing its presence in international forums and exchanging global expertise in sustainable urban development and innovative housing solutions. During the forum sessions, Al Khayarin discussed topics related to 'Experiences and effective financing solutions to enable individuals to own homes in housing projects.' He emphasized that the Qatar National Vision 2030 prioritizes family and social stability through the development of a comprehensive housing system.

Al Khayarin also highlighted Qatar's transformative journey from traditional housing projects to the development of smart cities and integrated communities, such as Lusail City and the Msheireb Downtown Doha project. He noted that the latter is the world's first fully sustainable urban regeneration project. Furthermore, he showcased the Ministry's digital achievements, particularly the unified national platform 'Binaa,' which has significantly streamlined housing and financing procedures, transforming the citizen's journey into a flexible digital system.

In conclusion, Al Khayarin stressed the importance of activating partnerships with the banking sector to reduce workload and expedite project completion. He emphasized that the future of housing lies in balancing innovation, sustainability, and social privacy.