Bhubaneswar: In a significant recognition of Odisha’s proactive strides in sustainable urban governance, Smt. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary , Housing & Urban Development Department, has been nominated by the Government of India to represent the state at the prestigious 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
The global summit is scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 16 to May 22, 2026. According to an official communication from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India,
Smt. Padhee’s participation is part of a high-level Indian delegation supported under the GIZ-assisted Technical Cooperation project “Integrated Climate Actions for Low Carbon and Resilient Cities (Urban-Act).”
The “Urban-Act” initiative focuses on driving climate-resilient, low-carbon urban planning strategies—a domain where Odisha has consistently emerged as a frontrunner through its innovative, community-centric urban rejuvenation interventions. Smt. Padhee is notably the sole senior administrative representative from Odisha included in this select national delegation, which also comprises key officials from MoHUA and a few other state cohorts.
During the week-long global forum, Odisha is expected to share its transformative insights on building resilient urban infrastructure and implementing localized climate actions. The platform will also pave the way for the state to explore advanced international technical partnerships, further accelerating Chief Minister’s vision of sustainable, climate-smart, and inclusive urban transformation across Odisha.