BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Cities around the
world are facing floods, landslides, fires, and security
challenges, Executive Director of the United Nations Human
Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia Rossbach, said at a
press conference being held as part of the 13th session of the
World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
According to her, cities are "on the front lines" of climate and
natural crises, and many are already experiencing devastating
floods, landslides, and fires.
Rossbach noted that humanity is moving from an urbanization rate
of approximately 50% to approximately 70% in the next 20 years,
amid growing climate challenges, natural disasters, and
conflicts.
She emphasized that the world needs new approaches and
innovations to create sustainable cities of the future.
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.
