Baku: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized the critical role of cooperation in addressing significant global challenges during her closing speech at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). She highlighted that cooperation, particularly at local and regional levels, is proving to be an effective mechanism for tackling issues.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Mohammed pointed out that local governments are often the first responders in natural disasters, providing essential services such as water, transport, housing, and employment, while also working to rebuild trust between communities and institutions. She stressed that collaboration with local and regional authorities is a central focus of the ongoing UN reforms, echoing sentiments from the Secretary-General's 2025 report.

The forum, attended by over 50,000 participants from 176 countries, centered on the shared objective of creating a dignified, sustainable, and interconnected urban future. Mohammed urged for increased ambition and financial commitment to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, noting that the upcoming decade should not replicate the previous one under the New Urban Agenda.