BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 18. The UN New Urban
Agenda provides for the development of inclusive, resilient, and
human-centered cities, the Executive Director of the United Nations
Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anaclaudia Rossbach said
at the official press conference dedicated to the opening of the
13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
According to her, the New Urban Agenda represents a global
commitment agreed upon by UN member states at the Habitat III
conference in Quito in 2016.
She noted that this year, member states within the framework of
the UN General Assembly are conducting a review of the results
achieved over the past ten years, as well as discussing further
steps for the next decade.
"The New Urban Agenda provides for the development of cities
planned in the interest of people and the environment, as well as
oriented toward inclusivity and the principle of 'leaving no one
behind'," she stated.
According to her, the document pays special attention to the
integration of informal settlements into urban planning and the
development of policies that take into account both the needs and
opportunities of such territories.
The Executive Director of UN-Habitat noted that within the
framework of the New Urban Agenda, housing is viewed as a central
element of urban policy.
She also stated that the document recognizes the value of land
not only from an economic point of view, but also from the
perspective of its social and ecological functions.
According to Anaclaudia Rossbach, the New Urban Agenda
accentuates attention on the need for a responsible approach to
urban expansion, supporting compact urban development, balanced
density of built-up areas, and the creation of public spaces.
In addition, she emphasized the importance of planning cities
with the participation of women, for women, and together with
women.
