BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Housing is an issue
of realizing every person's fundamental right, European
Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen said in a video address
during the dialogue on "The Global Housing Crisis: What's the
Plan?" at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13),
Trend reports.


According to him, in Europe, housing is viewed as a matter of
dignity and social justice.


"Housing is a matter of realizing every person's fundamental
right to live in a safe and healthy place. However, for too many
people in Europe and around the world, this right remains elusive,"
he noted.


Jørgensen emphasized that the current crisis extends far beyond
housing.


"This isn't just a housing crisis. It's a social crisis that
weakens social cohesion. It is an economic crisis that threatens
competitiveness, limits labor mobility, and hinders educational
development," he said.


Jørgensen noted that this crisis is negatively impacting
demographics, as too many young people are unable to leave home and
start their own families.







"The crisis is hitting essential workers, young people, and
vulnerable people hardest. In many communities, rising rents and
limited access to social housing are leading to an increased risk
of homelessness," the European Commissioner said.


The third day of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum
(WUF13) is underway in Baku.


On the first day, a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New
Urban Agenda, a roundtable of ministers, assemblies of women and
civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
well-being were held. A ceremony for raising the flags of the
United Nations and Azerbaijan also took place within the framework
of the forum.


The second day of the forum drew attention with the first-ever
Leaders Summit. High-level discussions on the global housing
crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience were held that
day. At the same time, the Mexico City pavilion was inaugurated
within the framework of WUF13. The pavilion was presented as an
important platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.


WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered
participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held
under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” the forum brings together governments, international
organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to
strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban
development.