BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. Urbanization in a
number of regions effectively consumes nature and agricultural
lands while intensifying risks to food security, demanding an
urgent overhaul of approaches to urban development, said Anaclaudia
Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human
Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Trend reports.
The UN official made the remarks during a panel discussion
titled "The Climate-Housing Nexus" held within the framework of the
13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
According to her, a significant portion of climate impacts today
results directly from unmanaged and unplanned urbanization. She
emphasized that more than 1 billion people worldwide lack access to
water and electricity, while millions live in conditions completely
devoid of basic security.
She also noted that children face barriers to regular school
attendance due to the absence of safe housing, and many families
live in constant fear for their personal safety. The situation
concerning informal settlements continues to deteriorate, and the
international community has not yet successfully managed the task
of reducing them.
Rossbach underscored the necessity of integrating the housing
agenda into global climate negotiations and called for a thorough
revision of urban growth models, including a shift toward more
compact and sustainable urban development.
Today marks the fourth day of WUF13 in Baku.
The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the
New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women
and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and
Azerbaijani flags also took place.
The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit,
featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis,
urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the
opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a
significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.
The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of
events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe
and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence
and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and
sustainable transport.
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.
