“I believe that platforms such as the World Urban Forum are important because they allow governments and partners to learn from one another and identify practical solutions that can be adapted to different national and local contexts," President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly from Malaysia, Nga Kor Ming, said this during his speech at the official opening press conference held within the framework of WUF13, APA reports.
“This forum brings together global coalitions, governments, local authorities, international organisations, experts and partners at a crucial time. A city is not merely a collection of buildings, but a collection of human stories. Urbanisation continues to transform societies at an unprecedented pace. While cities create economic opportunities, innovation and cultural exchange, they are also facing housing pressures, climate challenges, social inequalities and growing demand for public services. For many people, especially vulnerable communities, access to affordable housing remains one of the most urgent issues. That is why this year’s forum theme — ‘Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities’ — is particularly relevant. It reminds us that humanity is our greatest strength.”
“Technology can scale information widely, but it cannot scale the trust and wisdom needed to build communities in the same way,” Kor Ming noted.
He stated that discussions throughout the week will focus on practical approaches to making cities more inclusive and resilient.
“We expect important exchanges of views on housing policies and financing, but we must ensure that these discussions create a real legacy. Yesterday’s Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda demonstrated strong political will ahead of the high-level midterm review to be held in New York this July. As President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, I sincerely believe that this process creates an important opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and maintain political momentum around sustainable urbanisation. It is vital to move from general statements to concrete and measurable outcomes,” Kor Ming said.
