Briefing for international media held in Nairobi

UN-Habitat and the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan (SCUPA) today briefed international media in Nairobi on preparations for the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The organizers underscored that WUF13 will act as a critical global checkpoint for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda at its mid-term point.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach and Anar Guliyev, SCUPA Chairman and WUF13 National Coordinator, addressed journalists during the briefing moderated by Sultan Hajiyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kenya and Congo, Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Nairobi.

Rossbach highlighted WUF13’s theme — “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities” — noting that nearly 3 billion people currently live in inadequate housing, including over 1.1 billion in informal settlements and more than 300 million experiencing homelessness. She emphasized that the Forum will shine a spotlight on housing as a foundation for inclusion, resilience and sustainable development, at a time when the global housing crisis continues to intensify.

The Executive Director also stressed the significance of 2026 as a milestone year for the global urban agenda. It marks ten years since the adoption of the New Urban Agenda at Habitat III in Quito. Next year, the UN Secretary-General will present a mid-term review of the Agenda; progress on SDG 11 will be assessed at the High-Level Political Forum; and the General Assembly will convene a High-Level Meeting on the New Urban Agenda.

“In this global context, WUF13 is more than a conference; it is a checkpoint for the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. It will allow Member States and partners to take stock of commitments, identify gaps, and shape global priorities for the decade ahead, especially to tackle the global housing crisis which is interacting with the climate crisis,” said Rossbach.

She highlighted that WUF13 will convene a Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda, and that outcomes from the Forum will feed directly into global review processes throughout 2026. The World Cities Report 2026, with a special focus on housing, will also be launched at the Forum.

Mr. Guliyev shared new initiatives proposed by Azerbaijan as the host country for WUF13, highlighting the first-ever Leaders’ Summit, which will introduce a dedicated platform for high-level political dialogue on global urban priorities. He further emphasized the role of cities and local authorities to ensure that their experience and grounded insights shape the Forum’s discussion. In addition, he underscored the expanded participation of the private sector, particularly in driving innovation, climate-responsive construction and modern housing technologies.

Reaffirming Government’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive and impactful Forum, Mr Guliyev stated: “Preparations for WUF13 are advancing at full speed. We are coordinating across all organizational, logistical, and operational areas to deliver a world-class Forum grounded in sustainability, accessibility, and security.”

Across six days, WUF13 will bring together governments, mayors, civil society, academia, the private sector and communities for more than 300 events, including high-level dialogues, assemblies, roundtables and special sessions, alongside partner-led events and the Urban Expo. The Forum will conclude with the Baku Call to Action — an outcome document designed to accelerate global progress on adequate housing and sustainable urban development.