BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 17. The "Ministerial
Meeting on the New Urban Agenda (NUA) – Opening Session" is being
organized as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum
(WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
The event assesses the progress made at the midpoint of
implementing the New Urban Agenda, which spans 2016–2036. It also
focuses on discussing existing gaps and reviewing paths to
accelerate action leading up to 2036.
The ministerial meeting is considered a vital platform ahead of
the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the UN General
Assembly review process. Special attention during the event is
dedicated to housing as a cornerstone of sustainable urban
development.
Discussions are guided by the three core pillars of the New
Urban Agenda: social inclusion and poverty eradication, generating
shared prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Speakers
emphasized that housing is not only a fundamental human right but
also a catalyst for expanding economic opportunities, enhancing
urban resilience, and strengthening climate action.
High-level thematic panel discussions are being held as part of
the event. These panels examine the role of housing in social
inclusion and poverty reduction, its impact on urban prosperity and
economic empowerment, and its significance for environmentally
sustainable and climate-resilient urban development.
Ministers and other participants are sharing best practices,
discussing innovative policy and financing mechanisms, and
exchanging views on strengthening multi-level governance
approaches.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the formulation of new
approaches is expected to reinforce political commitments to NUA
implementation, place housing policy at the center of sustainable
urban development, and accelerate action through 2036.
The outcomes of the event will be captured in a Chair’s Summary,
which will contribute to the NUA mid-term review process, the HLPF
2026 discussions, and the Baku Call to Action initiative—one of the
primary outcome documents of WUF13.
