BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The global urban
agenda has become a key component of international development
policy, the Director and President of the UN Sustainable
Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Jeffrey Sachs, said, Trend reports.


He made the statement during the press conference at the 13th
session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.


“The success of cities is directly linked to the sustainability
of global development as a whole,” he said.


Sachs noted that the SDSN brings together more than 2,000
universities worldwide and covers approximately 170 countries.


"The network was established 14 years ago with the participation
of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and continues to
actively develop in partnership with the current UN leadership.
SDSN brings together more than 2,000 universities worldwide,
covering more than 170 countries. We aim to be represented in all
193 UN member states," he said.


According to him, the network’s activities reach more than 90%
of the world’s population through the participation of academic and
research institutions.







Meanwhile, 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.