UN-Habitat Chief Calls for Global Participation in World Urban Forum for Sustainable Cities
ISTANBUL – The UN-Habitat executive director, Anaclaudia Rossbach, urged governments, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders to participate in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, this May to discuss the sustainable future of cities.
Forum Highlights and Objectives
WUF13, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) in partnership with the Azerbaijan government, will take place from May 17-22. The forum brings together thousands of participants from local and regional governments, businesses, universities, community organizations, and grassroots groups to share best practices and address urbanization challenges.
Rossbach emphasized that the forum is a platform rather than an intergovernmental negotiation. Stakeholders are expected to actively contribute by hosting events, sharing solutions, and building networks through initiatives such as the World Urban Forum Academy and the Practices Hub.
Strategic Focus and Climate Agenda
This year’s forum marks the first implementation year of UN-Habitat’s new strategic plan, focusing on access to housing, basic services, and informal settlements. Climate change remains a central topic. “Addressing climate issues supports positive policies because construction and infrastructure generate emissions,” Rossbach explained.
The event also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the New Urban Agenda, adopted in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016. Member states will review progress and set priorities for the next decade. Rossbach highlighted the relevance of the forum ahead of COP31 in November and the July High-Level Meeting on the Review of the New Urban Agenda at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Stakeholder Participation and Practices Hub
Rossbach stressed that all participants will play an active role throughout the forum. Ministers will meet in Baku to discuss urban challenges including climate resilience, sustainability, the housing crisis, and finance. The Practices Hub, introduced this year, allows cities and governments to showcase initiatives addressing housing needs while tackling climate challenges.
The forum aims to strengthen collaboration, advance urban policies, and provide practical solutions to the global housing crisis, which affects over 1 billion people living in slums or facing housing shortages.
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