BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 17. The New Urban Agenda
serves as a crucial framework that firmly prioritizes inclusive and
sustainable development across global communities, Janet Golding,
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister at the Department of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities of Canada, said during a ministerial
roundtable held within the framework of WUF13 in Baku, Trend reports.
She stated that over the past decade, the New Urban Agenda has
driven a major shift in Canada's approach to municipal growth,
guiding the country toward a more people-centered, integrated, and
inclusive urban development model.
Golding noted that through the adoption of its National Housing
Strategy in 2017, Canada has allocated over $115 billion in federal
investments, specifically aimed at improving housing security for
vulnerable populations.
According to the official, Canada has significantly elevated the
role of municipalities in executing national strategies, equipping
local authorities and grassroots communities with more flexible
financing mechanisms and decentralized decision-making power.
She also highlighted that Canada is actively working to
accelerate and better coordinate residential construction through a
new federal initiative, "Build Canada Homes." Under this framework,
the government intends to unlock public lands for housing
development, streamline financing channels, and integrate modern,
efficient construction methodologies.
Janet Golding outlined Canada’s three core priorities looking
ahead: "Increasing the speed and scale of construction and urban
development, strengthening inclusivity and cross-sector
partnerships, and securing long-term climate resilience and
sustainability."
She further emphasized that urban development policies must be
closely aligned with climate adaptation targets, specifically
focusing on expanding energy efficiency and reinforcing municipal
infrastructure against natural disasters.
Concluding her remarks, the Canadian official underscored that
international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and structural
transparency remain vital to maintaining momentum toward the UN
2030 sustainable development targets.
