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Join us at the thirteenth World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the official launch of the 2nd Water as Leverage City Champion Challenge – a global call for urban stakeholders worldwide to showcase innovative and integrated solutions for urban water resillience.

The City Champion Challenge is part of Water as Leverage (WaL), an initiative of the Government of the Netherlands, implemented by Partners for Water in collaboration with UN-Habitat and Deltares.

About the World Urban Forum

The World Urban Forum (WUF) is a global conference on sustainable urban development, convened by UN-Habitat. The thirteenth session takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. It brings together governments, cities, civil society, and the private sector to advance sustainable urbanisation. The WaL City Champion Challenge launch is part of the SDGs in Action programme at WUF13.

About the WaL City Champion Challenge launch

During WUF, representatives from the Dutch Embassy in Azerbaijan will open the launch event. Together, we will reflect on the first edition and look ahead to the second – with the official opening of applications and the announcement of this year’s jury.

Details launch

Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Time: 16:00
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
Format: in-person

Who should attend?

This event is open to all WUF13 participants and is particularly relevant for municipalities and local authorities, urban planners and designers, water utilities, NGOs, community organisations, and financing partners.

 

Join the City Champion Challenge

Want to learn more about the Challenge and how to join? Find everything you need to know on the WaL City Champion Challenge page. From 19 May onwards, this will also be the place to submit your initiative.

Find out more and register