BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 17. The implementation
process of the core principles of the New Urban Agenda must be
re-evaluated, the Mayor of the Turkish city of Konya, Ugur Ibrahim
Altay, said during the World Assembly of Local and Regional
Governments, held within the framework of the 13th World Urban
Forum (WUF13), Trend
reports.
"This World Assembly is taking place at a critical juncture for
our cities and regions. Across the globe, local and regional
authorities directly respond to the real needs of people every
day—whether through protecting rights, ensuring decent housing,
managing migration, achieving climate justice, or fostering social
cohesion. It is through the public service system that they place
equality and human dignity at the center of public policy," Altay
said.
According to the mayor, the role of the World Assembly of Local
and Regional Governments within the World Urban Forum needs to be
further strengthened.
"This process should not be limited merely to assessing the
current situation. It must also address the fundamental challenges
hindering the implementation of the agenda: weak decentralization,
limited financial capacities, the commercialization of housing and
land, as well as insufficiently effective mechanisms for
multi-level governance," he noted.
"Dear colleagues, the core principles of the New Urban Agenda
remain relevant. However, the implementation process must be
re-evaluated through the prism of human rights, care, a territorial
approach, and the provision of local public services. To achieve
this, it is crucial to provide local and regional authorities with
the necessary mandates, funding, and institutional recognition,"
Altay concluded.
