Baku: Former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos emphasized the increasing urbanization of the global population and the need for resilient city planning during the 'Early Warnings and Sustainable Cities' event at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku. He highlighted that half of the world's population now resides in cities, with this trend on the rise.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Avramopoulos underscored that technological advancements alone are insufficient for building resilience. Effective governance and political will play crucial roles in addressing urban challenges. He pointed out that cities are becoming the epicenters of global issues, such as energy crises, technological limitations, and social inequality.

He stressed that the impacts of climate change, including fires, floods, and heatwaves, have become a reality for urban life, affecting various sectors like agriculture and services, and disrupting social balance. Vulnerable groups, particularly those with inadequate housing, children, the elderly, and internally displaced persons, are disproportionately affected by these issues.

Avramopoulos advocated for the integration of early warning systems with climate resilience strategies, emphasizing the importance of developing resilient urban policies, strengthening infrastructure, and maintaining a balance between urban development and nature. He called for science-based policies and long-term international collaboration to effectively tackle these challenges, as no country can address them in isolation.