BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The "Smart and
Resilient Settlements" initiative demonstrates the necessity for an
approach capable of combining issues that international systems
often keep separate into a unified framework, Anna Soave, Head of
the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Country Office in
Azerbaijan, said at an event on peace-centered climate action held
within the framework of WUF13, Trend reports.


"Climate change is no longer a future threat, it is today's
reality. It increases pressure on already fragile systems, destroys
infrastructure, and deepens the vulnerability of communities that
have already lost so much," Soave noted.


According to her, the most visible side of the recovery process
manifests itself precisely in cities.


"When a family is reunited with housing, when water and
electricity are restored, when children return to school, and when
public spaces become safe and accessible again, peace is no longer
an abstract concept. People begin to believe in the future once
more. However, returning is not just about restoring buildings. It
is also about restoring dignity, a sense of belonging, and faith in
the future. Otherwise, people could face displacement for a second
or even a third time," Soave said.







"As an architect, I fully understand that without social
solidarity, a restored building is just a physical structure. As an
urban planner, I want to emphasize that a neighborhood without
social cohesion cannot be called a home," she added, noting that
this initiative holds special significance today for various
regions of the world, including the South Caucasus, where
large-scale reconstruction work is underway.


She highlighted that the international community often views
climate action, humanitarian aid, urban planning, peacebuilding,
and development finance as entirely separate fields.


"Each has its own logic, timeframe, and financial instruments.
However, people experiencing displacement and recovery do not
perceive these as separate issues; they experience all of these
challenges together. This is precisely why the initiative we are
discussing today is of particular importance. The 'Smart and
Resilient Settlements' initiative is aimed at building such an
integrated framework," Soave pointed out.