Abu dhabi: President of the Republic of Mauritius, Dharambeer Gokhool, underscored the significance of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) as a platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge related to urban development. During his address at the Leaders' Statements session, President Gokhool emphasized the urgency of the forum's theme, 'housing the world', in addressing global housing challenges.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, President Gokhool noted that approximately 3 billion individuals worldwide reside in inadequate housing conditions, which poses a significant humanitarian threat. He stressed that this situation presents a considerable challenge for resilient development. The President remarked that WUF13 serves as a timely forum, providing a valuable opportunity to share experiences, transfer knowledge, and best practices, while also reaffirming commitments to sustainable urban planning and development.