BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The entire United
Nations family will continue its activities to strengthen a more
coordinated and unified approach toward adequate housing provision
and sustainable urban development, Amina Mohammed, Deputy
Secretary-General of the United Nations, said during the official
closing press conference held within the framework of the 13th
session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.


She stated that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can
only be realized at the global level if they are implemented within
our countries and communities.


"That is exactly why the discussions held and the commitments
shaped within the framework of this forum are of vital importance
for the implementation of the SDGs. These establish the foundations
for the transformation we need across society and define the work
we must carry forward after the forum.


This means that we must further strengthen cooperation with all
members of society, particularly with local and regional
authorities who will lead these transformations. This process must
be based on people's real-life experiences, and housing must be
accepted as one of the fundamental conditions of sustainable
development," she emphasized.


She emphasized that cities must work for everyone — especially
for children, women, youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly,
migrants, internally displaced persons, and people living in
informal settlements.


"Local-level adaptation measures must be one of the primary
priorities.


Significant progress has been made since the adoption of the New
Urban Agenda, but there is still much work to be done. The energy,
partnerships, and solutions demonstrated within the framework of
this forum give us reason to look to the future with hope.


Baku's call to action is clear: sustainable urbanization is one
of the most powerful tools for rebuilding trust, accelerating the
Sustainable Development Goals, and renewing multilateralism.


We leave Baku with a renewed determination to work together
toward building inclusive, resilient, sustainable communities and
cities that put human dignity at their core. It is now time to
house the world and provide a dignified life for every human
being," she said.


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 Programme 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.