Baku: Poland’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Krzysztof Szczerski, emphasized the significance of the discussions held in Baku during a ministerial meeting within the framework of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13). Nearly a decade after the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, cities globally continue to grapple with a multitude of complex challenges including housing shortages, inequality, climate change impacts, forced displacement, and increased pressure on infrastructure and basic services.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Szczerski noted that the ongoing meeting takes place at a pivotal time for the global urban agenda. As urban areas around the world face intensifying challenges, they simultaneously remain hubs of opportunity, economic development, innovation, and resilience. The upcoming high-level midterm review of the New Urban Agenda in New York on July 16-17, under the UN General Assembly’s mandate, will offer a crucial opportunity to evaluate the agenda’s implementation, identify gaps, and renew political commitment towards a sustainable urban future.
Poland is actively engaged in the international efforts to address these urban challenges, as demonstrated by its hosting of the 11th World Urban Forum in Katowice in 2022. Szczerski, alongside Malawi’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Agnes Chimbiri-Molande, is leading the intergovernmental process focused on a political declaration to reinforce commitment to the New Urban Agenda and expedite its implementation. This process is intended to be open, transparent, and inclusive, reflecting the priorities and experiences of member states.
The discussions in Baku are regarded as particularly important, given the ongoing global urbanization and the necessity to ensure urban areas foster social cohesion, economic opportunity, and resilience. The World Urban Forum serves as a unique platform where stakeholders can exchange experiences, best practices, and challenges related to sustainable urban development. The dialogue encompasses the issues and opportunities faced by both large metropolises and small towns.
Szczerski expressed hope for productive discussions in Baku and continued collaboration leading up to the high-level midterm review, aiming for the successful adoption of the political declaration.