Baku: The World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku has further strengthened global cooperation in the field of urban transformation and housing policy, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacl¡udia Rossbach, said at the official closing press conference of WUF13.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Rossbach stated that within the framework of the forum, overcoming the global housing crisis, rebalancing housing systems and financing mechanisms, strengthening local communities, and promoting climate-resilient urban development were identified as key priorities.

Rossbach highlighted that the 'Baku Call to Action,' one of the main outcomes of WUF13, will become an important reference document for future activities in these areas. The head of UN-Habitat emphasized that the forum once again demonstrated that the necessary knowledge, experience, and political will exist to resolve the global housing crisis.

'The picture we saw in Baku is clear. The solutions, knowledge, and commitment exist. The task ahead is no longer to define the agenda, but to implement it,' she stressed.

Rossbach also mentioned that WUF13 has further strengthened the global coalition for urban transformation and that the success of the forum will be measured not only by the discussions held but by the work to be carried out afterward in cities, communities, and national policies. 'We are leaving Baku with renewed determination, stronger partnerships, and a shared sense of responsibility to turn commitments into action,' the head of UN-Habitat added.

She noted that the next World Urban Forum will be held in Mexico City in 2028, expressing hope to achieve real progress in expanding access to adequate housing by then.