BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The world is
currently experiencing revolutions in nanotechnology,
biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and global connectivity,
yet the driving force behind all of these remains the
electrification revolution, Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister
for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, said, Trend reports.


The minister made the remarks during the event titled
"High-Level Energy and Urban Dialogue of D-8 Countries" held within
the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13)
in Baku.


"Energy stands at the very center of production, economic
growth, mobility, and people's daily lives," he noted.


The Pakistani official pointed out that the D-8 countries
possess immense advantages in terms of renewable energy.


"These nations hold rich natural resources such as solar, wind,
and hydropower. If integrated correctly, this potential can create
a sustainable energy supply. We lack the necessity to talk about
sending a rover to Mars; rather, the focus centers on a farmer or a
factory worker living a normal life. People must have a house with
a roof, electricity, a school, a small clinic, and a safe living
environment," Malik stated.


The minister also drew attention to the global housing crisis
during his speech.


"Currently, approximately 3 billion people in the world lack
safe housing conditions, and more than 300 million people face
actual homelessness," he flagged.







Touching upon the severe heatwaves hitting his country, the
Pakistani minister noted that in 2024, temperatures reached 48
degrees Celsius in one of the country's largest cities, resulting
in the loss of hundreds of lives within a single week.


"People living in impoverished neighborhoods suffer the most
from energy shortages and power outages. Blackouts effectively
return people to the Stone Age. When there is no energy, life
stops. Over the past 10 to 15 years, climate disasters have claimed
thousands of lives, injured tens of thousands, and displaced
millions of people. This core question must remain at the forefront
when designing urbanization and energy policies," the minister
concluded.


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.