“One of the most important things we saw in Baku this week is that cooperation is not only a working mechanism, but also an effective tool for solving major challenges,” UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said during her speech at the closing ceremony of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), APA reports.
She stated that one of the strongest forms of cooperation today is being shaped at the local and regional levels.
The UN official noted that local governments are the first to respond during natural disasters.
“They provide water, transport, housing, and decent jobs, and restore trust between people and institutions,” she said.
According to her, strengthening cooperation with local and regional governments is also at the center of UN reforms. She noted that this approach is reflected in the Secretary-General’s 2025 report as well.
The UN representative stated that more than 50,000 participants from 176 countries gathered at the forum.
“Our common goal is to build a dignified, sustainable, and connected urban future for people,” she said.
She stressed that the remaining time until 2030 must be used to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We need greater ambition and more financing. The next decade of the New Urban Agenda cannot be the same as the previous one,” she added.
