Baku: The global housing crisis, which has reached a critical level, is not accidental, but the result of deep structural, systemic, and governance deficiencies, APA reports. ADA University professor Anar Valiyev emphasized this during the closing ceremony of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Professor Anar Valiyev stressed the importance of recognizing housing as a fundamental human right. He articulated that a home is not merely a physical structure but a space that embodies dignity, culture, and identity and plays a crucial role in securing our shared future. Housing interacts with public spaces, schools, healthcare, and other public services, underscoring its significance within a broader system.

Professor Valiyev highlighted the need for coordinated, collective, and urgent action to address the global challenge. With one year remaining until the 40th anniversary of the New Urban Agenda, he urged member states to expedite its implementation and bolster UN-Habitat's mandate as a partnership institution to respond effectively to the global housing crisis.

Anar Valiyev outlined the Urban Agenda for 2026-2029 as a roadmap for accelerating action in the housing sector. He encouraged member states and stakeholders, within the framework of the open-ended informal working group, to consider declaring 2026-2036 as a 'Decade of Action.' This declaration aims to accelerate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and achieve measurable results on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Valiyev called for practical commitments to be included in outcome documents, the documentation of successful programs and projects, and the sharing of implementation pathways. He emphasized that these final outcomes should focus on the root causes and human rights aspects of the housing crisis, as well as the creation of a fair, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient housing system.