Monitoring Desk: Azerbaijan is ready to host WUF13 that is scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17 to 22. The central theme of the forum is ” Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.” The event will bring together high-ranking government officials, representatives of international organizations, and leading experts in the fields of architecture and urban planning. The World Urban Forum (WUF) is a high-level conference dedicated to addressing the critical challenges posed by global—and often unplanned—urban growth, climate change, and the rising inequalities driven by urbanization, reports Azertac News Agency. This platform was established by the United Nations (UN) in 2001 to examine one of the most pressing issues of the modern era: rapid urbanization and its profound impact on communities, cities, nations, climate change, and public policy. The World Urban Forum is organized and managed by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The inaugural forum took place in…

By Agha Iqrar Haroon The opening of the Third International Dance Festival “Lazgi” in the historic city of Khiva is more than a celebration of movement and music. It is a statement of Uzbekistan’s growing cultural confidence and a reminder that nations are often best understood not only through politics or economics, but through the arts that carry the spirit of their people across generations. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s message, delivered at the festival by his daughter Saeeda Mirziyoyeva, reflects a vision in which culture is placed at the center of national development and international engagement. In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and cultural fragmentation, Uzbekistan’s decision to elevate traditional heritage onto the global stage deserves recognition. There could hardly be a more fitting venue than Khiva — a city whose minarets, ancient walls, and timeless architecture symbolize the continuity of civilization along the Silk Road. Hosting the festival on the banks of the Amu Darya connects the…

Monitoring Desk: Tensions have escalated once again along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border after a deadly incident in the Chaman sector, where Pakistani officials and local residents said that cross-border mortar fire from the Afghan side struck a civilian area, killing one person and seriously injuring another. According to information circulated by Pakistani security-linked sources, the victim was identified son of Dost Muhammad resident of Chaman. His brother was also reported wounded in the incident. Residents said their home was severely damaged and caught fire after being hit by mortar shells. “Our house was completely destroyed by mortar fire,” one resident said in statements shared locally. Afghan Taliban authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting. Pakistani security sources said the military responded to unprovoked aggression. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is responded unprovoked attacks coming from Afghan side. Officials stated that Pakistan’s armed…