BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – The State of Qatar, represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) and headed by Mr. Fahad Mohammed Al-Khayarin, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs, participated in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, under the theme "Housing the World: Safe, Resilient, and Sustainable Cities and Communities."

The Qatari delegation included several senior officials and specialists. This participation reflects the State’s keenness to strengthen its presence in international forums and to exchange global expertise in sustainable urban development and the creation of innovative housing solutions.

During the forum sessions, Mr. Fahad Mohammed Al-Khayarin presented several key themes regarding "Effective Financial Experiences and Solutions to Empower Individuals to Own Property in Housing Projects." He emphasized that the Qatar National Vision 2030 places family and social stability at the forefront of its priorities through the development of a comprehensive housing system.

Al-Khayarin explained that the Qatari experience has witnessed a radical shift away from traditional housing project models, moving instead toward building smart cities and fully serviced communities. Notable examples include Lusail City and the "Msheireb Downtown Doha" project, which is considered the world's first fully sustainable downtown regeneration project.

He also highlighted the digital achievements made by MSDF, particularly the "Benaa" unified national platform, which has streamlined housing and financing procedures in record time, transforming the citizen's journey into a flexible digital ecosystem.

At the conclusion of his participation, Al-Khayarin stressed the importance of activating partnerships with the banking sector to reduce administrative burdens and accelerate project delivery. He underscored that the future of housing lies in striking a balance between innovation, sustainability, and social privacy.