BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Housing should be
viewed not as an end in itself, but as a foundation for ensuring
people’s security, stability, and dignity, Princess Lamia bint
Majed Al Saud, Secretary-General of Alwaleed Philanthropies and
UN-Habitat Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab States, said, Trend reports.


She made the statement during the panel discussion “The Social
and Economic Power of Housing” at the 13th session of the World
Urban Forum (WUF13).


According to the princess, Alwaleed Philanthropies has been
implementing housing programs around the world for nearly 45
years.


"We have provided 1.2 million housing units and invested more
than $5 billion in human development and humanitarian projects.
It’s not about the houses themselves, but about helping families
become independent and self-reliant,” she emphasized.


She cited a joint project with the United Nations Development
Programme, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and
the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Action in Saudi
Arabia and Yemen as an example.


“We provided 600 homes, but we didn’t stop there. We also
implemented vocational training programs that led to employment for
Yemeni families. The number of beneficiaries reached nearly 5,000
people,” she noted.


Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud emphasized that by 2030,
approximately 60% of the world’s population will live in cities,
and governments will not be able to address all housing issues on
their own.







She added that sustainable housing solutions are only possible
through cooperation among governments, international organizations,
and charitable institutions that combine policy, expertise, and
funding.


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.