The most important urban event for the first time in Central and Eastern Europe
17.06.2022
For the first time in its 20-year history, the world's largest and most important event devoted to cities - the World Urban Forum (WUF) – is to take place in Central and Eastern Europe in Poland. For five days from 26 to 30 June Katowice will become the capital of all cities in the world. The slogan of the Polish edition of the WUF is: "Transforming our cities for a better urban future". This is a unique opportunity to become part of an international event and decide on the future of cities. Free registration lasts until 22 June at wuf.unhabitat.org.
Representatives of countries from all over the world, scientists, businesspeople and, above all, city dwellers will be looking for solutions to be transformed into concrete actions. The aim of all this is to make the cities in which we live more inhabitant-friendly.
The World Urban Forum was initiated by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme - a UN agency). The first Forum was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002 and since then it has been taking place all over the world, regularly every two years. Subsequent sessions have been hosted in Barcelona, Vancouver, Nanjing, Rio de Janeiro, Naples, Medellin, Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi.
Discussion focused on major urban issues
- For the first time the largest and most important event devoted to cities – the World Urban Forum – is to take place in our part of Europe. This is a great honour for Poland and an expression of trust from our UN partners. At the event we will show, among others, the impressive transformation that our cities have undergone and share our experiences," said Grzegorz Puda, Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy.
Discussions at WUF will revolve around six themes:
• Fair cities
• A green future for cities
• Innovation and technology
• Building the resilience of cities
• Urban planning and management
• The future of urban economy and finance
In view of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the enormous destruction in Ukrainian cities, the topic of rebuilding cities after a war will be included in the programme at Poland's request.
More than just a conference
- It is very important to us that WUF11 is not only a meeting of experts and practitioners, but that it also becomes an attraction for the inhabitants of Katowice and all those who will visit the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship at that time. In this context, I would like to encourage you to participate in the Urban Expo and visit the 11 zones we have called "WUF in the City", said Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, Deputy Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, who is also the Government Plenipotentiary for the preparation of the World Urban Forum.
The Urban Expo is the most interesting attraction of the World Urban Forum, drawing the largest number of participants. At the Urban Expo countries, cities as well as companies set up their promotional pavilions. They are often impressive and interesting constructions.
Another attraction for the inhabitants will be thematic zones under the common banner of "WUF in the City". The urban space will host, among others, a science zone, an innovation zone, an urban cinema or a music stage. The exact locations and programme of the zones will be announced shortly.
Benefits of participating in the WUF:
• KNOWLEDGE – you will find out what's going on in the urban world
• INSPIRATION – you will be able to inspire others with solutions in your city or let yourself be inspired by others
• CONTACTS – you will meet lots of interesting people
• PRESTIGE – you will be part of the world's largest event dedicated to cities
