Accesssibility 2030 Pavilion in Azerbaijan
First launched at WUF12 in Cairo, the first dedicated space for accessibility and disability inclusion at WUF will make its Baku debut on 18th May 2026 at the Urban Expo, bringing together disability advocates, urban planners, policymakers, and community leaders to demand that accessible, inclusive housing are non-negotiable in the world's cities.
Baku, Azerbaijan, 17 May 2026. The Accessibility 2030 Pavilion will return to the World Urban Forum (WUF) when WUF13 opens its doors in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. Building on the historic momentum generated at WUF12 in Cairo, the Pavilion once again creates a dedicated space to explore the role of accessibility and disability inclusion in ‘Housing the World’.
The time is now to make our cities more inclusive. Nearly 3 billion people worldwide face some form of housing inadequacy, with more than 1.1 billion living in informal settlements and over 300 million experiencing homelessness. For people with disabilities, older persons, and other disadvantaged groups, these challenges are amplified by a lack of accessible design, inclusive services and persisting stigma. Homes are built without ramps, neighbourhoods lack tactile pathways, and emergency systems fail people who communicate differently. Guided by WUF13's theme "Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities" this is the defining moment to declare that housing for all must mean housing that is accessible to all.
This year, the pavilion forms part of the Civil Society Cluster, supported by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, joining the Children and Youth Pavilion, Urban Safety Pavilion and Habitat Village in a space that explores visions for inclusive cities for all.
What's happening at the Accessibility 2030 pavilion?
