AZERTAC presents an exclusive interview with Executive Director of SERAC-Bangladesh and Mentor of the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board, SM Shaikat.
— What role do you think Azerbaijan can play in the global agenda of sustainable urban development?
Azerbaijan is uniquely positioned to become an important connector between regions, particularly in fostering dialogue on sustainable urban development between Europe, Asia, and the Global South. The very fact that WUF13 is being hosted in the country demonstrates Azerbaijan’s growing leadership and commitment to the global urban agenda.
As someone attending WUF13 in Baku, I have been personally impressed by the city’s inclusivity, public spaces, urban mobility, cleanliness, safety, and the balance between modern infrastructure and cultural identity. These are key social factors that make cities more livable and people-centered.
I believe Azerbaijan can play a significant role in promoting integrated approaches to urban development that combine sustainability, smart infrastructure, climate resilience, culture, and meaningful community participation.
One of the key global priorities today is the inclusion of children and young people in urban governance. Based on my experience working with Urban Youth Councils in Bangladesh alongside local authorities, I have seen how institutionalized youth participation improves accountability and strengthens urban decision-making. Platforms such as the World Urban Forum enable countries, including Azerbaijan, to share and learn from these global experiences.
— How do you assess the role of green energy in the development of modern cities?
-Green energy is absolutely essential for the future of modern cities. Today, cities are major contributors to emissions and pollution, but they are also the spaces where innovation and transformation can happen most rapidly. Renewable energy, sustainable transport systems, energy-efficient infrastructure, and urban planning are all essential components of healthier and more resilient cities.
During my time in Baku, I have observed growing attention to urban modernization, infrastructure development, and environmental quality, all of which are important elements of sustainable urban futures.
However, green energy is not only an environmental issue. It is closely linked to health, accessibility, mobility, and social equity. The transition to greener cities must also ensure that low-income and vulnerable communities are not left behind.
— How do you assess the importance of WUF13 in shaping the future of sustainable cities?
-WUF13 is extremely important because it provides one of the few truly global platforms where governments, city leaders, experts, civil society, and young people come together to collectively rethink the future of cities.
Its key value lies in connecting urban development with people’s lived realities — mobility, housing, affordability, climate vulnerability, inclusion, and dignity.
While participating in discussions in Baku, including the Youth Assembly and other WUF sessions, I have observed strong momentum toward more inclusive, climate-resilient, and participatory urban development.
One important takeaway from the forum is that children and young people are not merely beneficiaries of urban policies, but active contributors and co-creators of urban futures.
At the same time, WUF13 highlights a major global challenge: many effective local and youth-led initiatives fail to become institutionalized due to weak coordination, limited financing, or lack of political will.
This is why platforms like the World Urban Forum are so important — they bridge local experiences with global policy discussions and help translate innovative ideas into long-term urban action.
Personally, my experience in Baku during the forum has reaffirmed an important lesson: a livable city is defined not only by its infrastructure, but by how inclusive, accessible, safe, and welcoming it is for people.
