BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 18. The 13th session of
the World Forum of Cities (WUF13) enables strengthening actions on
the housing crisis, President of the UN General Assembly Annalena
Baerbock said in her address at the opening ceremony of WUF13 in
Baku, Trend
reports.


"Affordable, safe, and decent housing is a fundamental human
right. It's the foundation of dignity, health, security, and
opportunity. Yet today, this foundation remains inaccessible to too
many people: more than 1.1 billion people still live in informal
settlements or slums, and more than 300 million are homeless," she
said.


Baerbock noted that the consequences extend far beyond housing
itself.


"Without safe housing, health deteriorates, education is
disrupted, insecurity increases, inequality is entrenched, and
communities become more vulnerable to climate shocks and disasters.
That's why the 13th session of the World Urban Forum is taking
place at an important time. It offers an opportunity to strengthen
action on the housing crisis while linking this work to the broader
goal of sustainable urbanization," she said.


According to her, there are no easy solutions to a crisis of
this magnitude. Building more homes is necessary, but it alone
isn't enough. A systems approach is needed that integrates housing
with infrastructure, basic services, climate resilience, financing,
and inclusive planning.







"This approach also depends on broad participation, as
sustainable urban development cannot be achieved by governments
alone. It requires the participation of local authorities,
communities, civil society, the private sector, and experts, as
well as residents themselves, so that they can help shape the
cities they live in. Indeed, people should be seen not only as
beneficiaries of development but also as active participants in
this process.


In this regard, the new urban agenda remains our shared roadmap.
Its focus on inclusive, safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly cities
is as relevant today as it was 10 years ago when it was adopted.
This anniversary provides an opportunity to assess where progress
has been made, where gaps remain, and how implementation can be
accelerated. In July, the General Assembly will hold a two-day
high-level meeting for a midterm review of the new urban agenda,"
Baerbock said.


According to her, this meeting will provide an opportunity to
renew political commitments and strengthen implementation.


"I hope the discussions at the 13th session of the World Urban
Forum will be meaningful, inclusive, and practical, and will help
prepare the way for the negotiations on the political declaration
in New York. I wish you a successful forum and look forward to
seeing many of you in New York in July," she concluded.