“The World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku has further strengthened global cooperation in the field of urban transformation and housing policy, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia Rossbach, said at the official closing press conference of WUF13, APA-Economics reports.
She stated that within the framework of the forum, overcoming the global housing crisis, rebalancing housing systems and financing mechanisms, strengthening local communities, and promoting climate-resilient urban development were identified as key priorities.
According to Rossbach, the “Baku Call to Action,” one of the main outcomes of WUF13, will become an important reference document for future activities in these areas.
The head of UN-Habitat noted that the forum once again demonstrated that the necessary knowledge, experience and political exist to resolve the global housing crisis.
“The picture we saw in Baku is clear. The solutions, knowledge and commitment exist. The task ahead is no longer to define the agenda, but to implement it,” she stressed.
Rossbach stated that WUF13 has further strengthened the global coalition for urban transformation and that the success of the forum will be measured not only by the discussions held here, but by the work to be carried out afterward in cities, communities and national policies.
“We are leaving Baku with renewed determination, stronger partnerships and a shared sense of responsibility to turn commitments into action,” the head of UN-Habitat added.
She noted that the next World Urban Forum will be held in Mexico City in 2028: “Until then, we hope to achieve real progress in expanding access to adequate housing.”
