Baku: During the Leaders' Session at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Bulgarian President Iliyana Yotova expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for establishing Baku as a hub for global discussions about the future.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Yotova acknowledged the importance of the theme 'Housing the World' as central to numerous global challenges. She emphasized that the topic goes beyond statistical data, focusing instead on the human aspect. Currently, around 2.8 billion people globally live in substandard housing, with over 1 billion residing in informal settlements. To address this issue by the end of the decade, a new housing unit must be constructed every second worldwide.

President Yotova stressed that access to housing transcends market dynamics, framing it as a justice issue. She highlighted that a home serves as more than just property; it is foundational to achieving stable employment, education for children, functioning healthcare systems, and fostering a sense of belonging within society. The loss of a city's capacity to provide adequate shelter, she warned, results in the loss of not only infrastructure but also the city's essence and purpose.