BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. Participants at the
international conference titled “Colonial Injustices and Housing
Shortage,” held on the sidelines of World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13),
issued a joint statement highlighting the links between colonial
legacies, urban inequality, and housing challenges in overseas
territories and marginalized communities, Trend reports.
According to a statement released by the Baku Initiative Group,
conference participants congratulated Azerbaijan on the successful
organization of WUF13 and praised the country’s contribution to
global dialogue on urban development and international
cooperation.
The statement reaffirmed support for the principles of the New
Urban Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
11, which promotes inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
cities and communities.
Participants also expressed concern over housing shortages and
urban development challenges affecting populations living in
territories shaped by colonial and neo-colonial governance
structures. The statement specifically referenced territories
administered by France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well
as former Belgian colonies and ethnic minority communities in
India.
“In many of these contexts, structural inequalities linked to
historical and contemporary forms of colonial governance continue
to negatively impact access to adequate housing, land, public
infrastructure and basic services,” the statement said.
Conference participants highlighted conditions in territories
including Mayotte, New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, and Martinique, where
indigenous populations continue to face difficulties related to
housing shortages, sanitation, access to clean drinking water,
uneven infrastructure development, and unsafe living
conditions.
The statement noted that in New Caledonia, urban development
issues remain closely tied to land rights and the historical
grievances of the Kanak people.
Similar concerns were raised regarding Caribbean territories
under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including
Bonaire, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. Participants pointed to
limited land availability, rising housing costs, tourism pressures,
migration burdens, and uneven economic development as factors
disproportionately affecting indigenous communities and vulnerable
populations.
The conference participants stressed that housing problems in
overseas territories should not be viewed solely through economic
or technical frameworks, but also in the context of historical
injustices, structural inequality, and the limited participation of
indigenous peoples in urban planning and governance processes.
They called for greater inclusion of indigenous groups, ethnic
minorities, and local communities in decision-making related to
housing, land management, infrastructure, and sustainable
development policies.
“Sustainable urbanization cannot be fully realized without
addressing historical injustices, promoting social equity,
protecting human dignity and ensuring equal access to opportunities
and resources for all communities,” the statement said.
Participants also emphasized that the conference aimed to create
a platform for dialogue among representatives of overseas
territories, experts, civil society organizations, and youth groups
in order to raise international awareness about the relationship
between colonial governance, minority rights, and urban
inequality.
The statement concluded with a renewed commitment to
international dialogue and cooperation focused on justice,
equality, inclusive urban development, and the protection of
communities affected by structural inequalities.
