Rossbach: For the first time at WUF13, heads of state jointly discussed housing policy: UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacl¡udia Rossbach has called for a new multilateralism to address the global housing crisis, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Rossbach made these remarks during the event titled 'Advancing Housing Through Multilateralism: From Global Commitments to Local Impact' held within the framework of WUF13. The discussions highlighted the global housing crisis, inequality in access to data, and the need for a new model of multilateralism as key issues.

Rossbach emphasized that relying solely on scientific research is insufficient to tackle existing problems in housing and urban development. She advocated for the involvement of practitioners working on the ground and the application of a 'co-production' approach. She pointed out the disparities between the Global North and the Global South regarding access to data and institutional capacities, noting that some data remains inaccessible or 'closed,' which hampers decision-making. This lack of access prevents practitioners from documenting their work and building data systems, necessitating stronger cooperation among governments, societies, and international organizations.

Moreover, Rossbach highlighted the gap between political and technical spheres in urban planning and housing policy. She stated that these issues are not only technical but also political, particularly in matters such as land use, where major political decisions are involved. Within the framework of WUF13, the convergence of heads of state and experts on the same platform to discuss urban planning and housing policy at a technical level marked an important step forward.