Baku: The Joint Opening of the Assemblies took place as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), setting the stage for a transformative gathering of global stakeholders. Moderated by Aditya Kumar, a Senior Expert for UN-Habitat, the session centered on the theme 'How do we turn shared priorities into collective momentum for action?'
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the session was designed to move beyond a traditional ceremony, aiming to activate participants as contributors to the Forum's outcomes. It merged storytelling, high-level engagement, and interactive participation to highlight shared priorities and encourage early commitments. Various constituencies, including youth, grassroots, private sector, local governments, and women leaders, were involved to address global challenges through lived experiences.
Anar Guliyev, National Coordinator of WUF13 and Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, highlighted the global housing crisis as an issue that transcends physical structures, involving human safety, opportunity, and climate resilience. He emphasized WUF as an inclusive platform that integrates voices from women, children, youth, civil society, and local governments into the forum's final outcomes.
Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, expressed thanks to partners, especially Azerbaijan, for hosting the event. She described the forum as a critical global platform for state representatives, civil society, and the business community to share visions, form new alliances, and inspire urban transformation.
Clara Brugada, Head of Government of Mexico City, described the forum as a strategic space for shaping urban development's future, stressing the importance of open, inclusive cities and multilateral cooperation for socio-economic and ecological progress.
Child rights advocate Imtiaz Ahmed from Bangladesh emphasized the role of a home as a foundation for a child's essential rights to health, sanitation, and education, serving as a protective shield against violence.
Celine D'Cruz, a founding member of Slum Dwellers International, shared insights from her work in Mumbai, highlighting the challenges local authorities face with large-scale informal settlements.
Samir Mammadov from the UN Global Compact Network noted that sustainability is now essential to shareholder value and business survival, requiring innovation across all sectors for responsible development practices.
Ana Cristina Ingles of the Angola Urban Laboratory concluded by stating that a safe home represents stability and dignity, calling WUF the ideal platform to help fulfill these aspirations for women globally.