Baku: Colonialism has significantly hindered access to decent housing worldwide, according to Byron-Cox Richard Anthony Beresford, advisor to the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. During the event titled 'Injustices and the Housing Crisis Caused by Colonial Governance,' organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) at WUF13, Beresford emphasized how colonial legacies manifest differently across regions such as the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Beresford noted that despite regional variations, the outcome remains the same: widespread suffering due to inadequate housing. He highlighted that in the Caribbean, colonizers reserved the best housing for themselves, leaving post-independence nations with significant challenges. Addressing these challenges requires not only financial resources but also engineering expertise, professional knowledge, and access to land, which was often controlled by colonizers. The complexity of the issue extends beyond mere construction and demands comprehensive solutions.

Beresford underscored the importance of the conference, which allows participants from various regions to share their approaches to solving housing issues. By learning from each other's experiences, different countries can develop tailored solutions to housing problems rooted in their colonial pasts. He expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for facilitating the event, acknowledging its role in bringing together young and creative minds to address the future of housing.

He refuted the notion that conferences are mere talk, arguing that dialogue is essential for problem-solving. By fostering discussions, participants can exchange ideas and build collaborative networks, essential for addressing the multifaceted housing crisis. This conference, Beresford asserted, is vital for creating support systems and fostering cooperation among nations grappling with similar challenges.