BAKU, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) concluded here on Friday with renewed calls for political commitment to tackling the global housing crisis and accelerating sustainable urban development.
Convened by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and co-organized with the Azerbaijani government under the theme "Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities," the week-long forum brought together more than 57,000 participants from 176 countries, including 11 heads of state, 88 ministers, 76 deputy ministers and 130 mayors.
Discussions throughout the week focused on affordable housing, informal settlement upgrading, housing finance, climate resilience, low-carbon urban development and recovery in crisis-affected communities. Nearly three billion people worldwide currently live in inadequate housing conditions, according to organizers.
Throughout the week, WUF13 underscored the importance of placing housing at the core of sustainable development efforts, highlighting its role in promoting resilience, social equity, stability and economic opportunity.
"As we mark the midpoint of the New Urban Agenda, the message is clear: The next decade must be defined by accelerated implementation, scaled delivery, and measurable impact in people's lives," said UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach.
WUF13 concluded with the presentation of the "Baku Call to Action," a stakeholder-driven document calling for accelerated action on housing and sustainable urbanization.
The closing of WUF13 also marked the formal handover to Mexico, which will host the 14th session of the forum in 2028.
Established by the United Nations in 2001, the forum is regarded as the leading international platform for dialogue on sustainable urbanization and housing.
