Baku: The next 10 years will be decisive in terms of fulfilling commitments in the field of sustainable urban development, Guy Ryder, representative of the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General for Policy, said during the ministers' meeting on the New Urban Agenda organized within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, APA-Economics reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the New Urban Agenda, adopted 10 years ago, created a shared vision for building inclusive, safe, sustainable, and resilient cities. Ryder highlighted that one in four people around the world currently lives in informal settlements or slums, which poses serious risks to people's health, safety, and opportunities.

Guy Ryder stated that within the framework of the 'Pact for the Future,' UN member states have committed to ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for everyone. He stressed that achieving these goals requires stronger partnerships, multi-level governance, expanded access to development financing, as well as the strengthening of data, technology, infrastructure, and institutional capacity.

'Cities are the main places where risks and opportunities intersect. The next 10 years will be decisive for implementing these commitments with greater ambition and urgency,' Guy Ryder emphasized.