Published on: 2026-05-22
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A historic meeting of more than 57,000 delegates – the largest ever held at the World Cities Forum – concluded on Friday in Baku with an appeal to the international community calling for a review of approaches to ensuring housing for people. The plan approved in the capital of Azerbaijan urges governments, cities, and communities to act together in the face of a crisis affecting billions of people worldwide.
The “Baku Call for Action,” formulated by delegates representing 176 countries, proposes considering housing as a complex phenomenon related to land, infrastructure, transport, services, and economic opportunities. It also suggests addressing interrelated issues such as rising housing costs, real estate market speculation, and climate shocks through pathways oriented towards people’s needs.
The plan contains calls to take into account the inseparable connection between housing and climate justice, to expand climate-resilient housing, and also to turn commitments into real actions through multi-level governance, financing, and support for local initiatives.
“There is no path to achieving the 2030 Agenda without sustainable urbanization and adequate housing,” stated the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, speaking at the closing ceremony of the 13th session of the World Forum of Cities. She emphasized that the primary task right now is to create inclusive and environmentally friendly cities capable of providing safe housing and opportunities for all.
The largest forum in history
The forum in Baku became the largest in history: more than 57 thousand delegates from 176 countries, over three thousand online participants, 11 heads of state, 88 ministers, and 130 mayors. In a week in the capital of Azerbaijan, 579 events took place, and the Urban Expo exhibition attracted more than 74 thousand visitors.
According to Amina Mohammed, the housing crisis lies at the intersection of almost all global problems – from poverty and inequality to climate, conflicts, and instability. She noted that adequate housing means access to clean water and sanitation, energy for cooking and heating, as well as accessibility, safety, and ownership guarantees.
Mohammed noted that the forum is taking place at a difficult moment for international cooperation, when the values and principles of the UN Charter are being undermined, tension and mistrust are growing. Nevertheless, according to her, cooperation remains the only way to cope with challenges of such a scale.
A decisive moment for future housing policy
The Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anaclaudia Rossbach, stated that the forum sent a “powerful signal” about the urgency of taking immediate action. She emphasized that the world is experiencing a critical moment for the future of housing policy and can no longer afford inaction. According to her, housing systems are under significant pressure due to inequalities, speculation, poor governance, rapid urbanization, population displacement, and the climate crisis.
“Housing markets clearly do not meet the needs: billions of people live in inadequate and unsafe conditions or cannot afford decent housing,” she said.
Amina Mohamed warned that the pace of change must accelerate. “The next decade of the New Urban Agenda cannot be the same as the previous one. We need more ambition. More funding… More political determination,” she emphasized.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It represents an accurate report of what the source asserts and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.