WUF13 Adopts Baku Call to Action to Address the Global Housing Crisis
Convened in Baku under the auspices of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in May 2026, the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will be remembered as one of the most consequential international events in recent years devoted to sustainable urban development. Attended by more than 57,000 participants from 176 countries, the Forum once again underscored Azerbaijan’s growing role as a global platform for dialogue and cooperation.
Making its debut as host of the prestigious event, Azerbaijan positioned Baku at the centre of international discussions on the future of cities, housing policy, climate resilience and inclusive development. Against this backdrop, WUF13 in Baku has come to be regarded as a defining moment not only for the region, but also for the wider global urban agenda.
Unfolding under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, the Forum brought one of the world’s most urgent challenges, the global housing crisis, sharply into focus. United Nations estimates suggest that nearly 2.8 billion people worldwide continue to live in inadequate housing conditions. In this context, WUF13 evolved into a key international platform for discussing practical solutions and rethinking approaches to sustainable urban development.
Among the most consequential developments to emerge from WUF13 was the adoption of the Baku Call to Action, a document reflecting the shared commitment of governments, international organisations, cities, civil society and experts to tackling the global housing crisis and advancing implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
Particular emphasis is placed on the need to move from declarations to tangible action. The document also identifies strengthened international cooperation and expanded climate financing as central priorities, while underlining the importance of integrating housing policy with infrastructure, transport, social protection, environmental policy and broader economic development.
At the Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda, participants observed that, despite a decade having passed since the programme’s adoption in Quito, the international community is now entering a decisive phase in its implementation. Speakers stressed in particular that housing should be viewed not merely as a construction issue, but as a cornerstone of social justice, human dignity, resilience and economic opportunity.
The Forum also marked an important moment of international recognition for Azerbaijan’s policies on sustainable development, urban modernisation and post-conflict recovery. Participants commended the large-scale reconstruction efforts underway in the liberated territories, alongside the country’s contemporary urban solutions and sustainable territorial development approaches.
Among the notable initiatives presented during WUF13 was the Smart, Sustainable Settlements for Safe Return Package (4SRP) initiative, jointly developed by Azerbaijan, UN-Habitat, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub. The initiative seeks to support safe and sustainable return processes, while contributing to the development of international standards for post-conflict recovery based on ecological resilience, climate adaptation and peacebuilding principles.
Against this backdrop, WUF13 further reinforced Baku’s position as a major global platform for dialogue, bringing together states, cities and international organisations around the shared ambition of creating more inclusive, safe and liveable urban environments.
The main outcomes emerging from WUF13, alongside the Baku Call to Action, are expected to feed into discussions at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the midterm review of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, due to take place in New York in July 2026.
More broadly, WUF13 in Baku has come to be viewed as another clear reflection of Azerbaijan’s expanding role in shaping the global agenda on sustainable development, climate resilience and international cooperation.
Particular attention was also drawn to the far-sighted policies and strategic leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in advancing sustainable development, modern urban planning, post-conflict reconstruction and international cooperation.
Appreciation was also expressed to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the high-level organisation of the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum, the hospitality extended to participants and the meaningful dialogue fostered throughout the Forum.
The Chair Summary adopted following the Ministerial Meeting further highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation in the fields of urban resilience, affordable housing, climate resilience and inclusive urban development. The document stressed that the discussions held in Baku as part of WUF13 had made an important contribution to advancing implementation of the New Urban Agenda and promoting tangible solutions to the global housing crisis.
Get to know tith the full "Baku Call to Action" document here.