Baku: The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, has culminated in a significant document titled the "Baku Call to Action," aimed at addressing the global housing crisis. This outcome was achieved through a collaborative and inclusive process involving a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, academia, local governments, and other actors in the housing sector.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Baku Call to Action emerged from extensive stakeholder consultations held in the run-up to the World Urban Forum. The document calls for the adoption of such comprehensive engagement as a standard practice across future sessions, ensuring continuity and accountability. The Government of Azerbaijan was praised for hosting a record-breaking WUF13, which saw participation from over 58,000 individuals from 176 countries, including 27 Heads of State and Government, marking a historic Leaders' Statement Summit.
The document sets forth a comprehensive agenda to tackle the pressing global housing crisis, described as a "polycrisis" driven by structural and systemic failures. The crisis affects an estimated 3.4 billion people worldwide, with housing recognized not only as a fundamental human right but also as a central component of broader social and environmental systems. The Baku Call to Action emphasizes the need to prioritize housing as a key element in sustainable urban development.
Key issues identified in the document include urban inequality, poor land management, shrinking public funding for housing, and the impact of conflict and climate change on urban centers. The document calls for a multi-faceted approach to address these challenges, including integrated housing policies, long-term financing strategies, improved governance, and enhanced accountability mechanisms.
The Call to Action also highlights the importance of recognizing the diversity of local contexts and the intersectionality of various factors such as gender, ethnicity, and disability in housing systems. It urges for climate-resilient housing solutions and the protection of homes against forced evictions and displacement.
Furthermore, the document outlines the need for more inclusive and affordable housing systems, improved land governance, and integrated urban planning. It calls for the involvement of diverse actors, including local governments, civil society, and the private sector, in co-producing housing solutions that are sustainable and equitable.
The Baku Call to Action concludes with a call for strengthened multilevel governance and participatory approaches to ensure effective delivery and accountability. It underscores the importance of using data and knowledge to inform housing policies and practices, advocating for research and capacity development, particularly in the global south.
In closing, the document expresses gratitude to Azerbaijan for its hospitality and leadership in facilitating this ambitious call to action, which aims to address the root causes of the housing crisis and ensure no one is left behind.