BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. UN-Habitat will
maintain the strategic operational momentum generated in Azerbaijan
as the international community transitions toward WUF14,
systematically reinforcing the execution links connecting
innovative ideas, multilateral partnerships, and concrete field
implementation, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach
said, Trend
reports.
She made the remarks during the official closing press
conference of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in
Baku.
According to her, the primary institutional challenge facing
global governance does not lie in merely defining theoretical urban
agendas, but in executing them effectively while permanently
positioning adequate housing at the center of human dignity and
sustainable metropolitan development.
"WUF13 has successfully solidified the global coalition driving
systemic urban transformation. Ultimately, the long-term success of
this forum will not face measurement by the mere scope of our panel
debates in Baku, but by the tangible operational steps implemented
from this point forward across individual cities, local
communities, and national and global public policy frameworks,"
Rossbach emphasized.
The UN-Habitat chief noted that the international delegation
concludes the Baku summit equipped with a renewed sense of
institutional urgency, robust cross-border partnerships, and a
shared responsibility to transform high-level multilateral
commitments into field-level operations.
"We leave Baku with the absolute determination to carry this
exact momentum directly into the next session of the World Urban
Forum, scheduled to take place in Mexico City in 2028. Our
collective expectation remains focused on documenting verified,
data-backed breakthroughs in securing adequate housing for all by
the opening of the WUF14 cycle," she concluded.
Today marks the final day of the 13th session of the World Urban
Forum (WUF13).
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.
One of the highlights of the third day was the signing of a
sister-city memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and
the Turkish city of Trabzon.
The fourth day of WUF13 featured a broad program of events
dedicated to urbanization, climate change, inclusive urban
development, housing policy, and sustainable governance.
The fifth day of WUF13 continued discussions on the global
housing crisis, the creation of safe and inclusive cities, climate
resilience, the use of artificial intelligence in urban management,
green urbanization, and social equality.
One of the important events of the UN Special Program for the
Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Cities Forum, held on the fourth
day, was the announcement of Almaty’s official accession to the
“Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the SPECA Smart
Climate-Resilient Cities Forum.”
Also, for the first time in WUF history and at Azerbaijan’s
initiative, the “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnership and
Decision-Making” was held.
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.
