Baku: The world must move beyond the stage of limited progress in housing and shift toward systemic transformation, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacl¡udia Rossbach said during the closing ceremony of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, WUF13 brought together a record number of participants. The forum was attended by 57,000 people from 176 countries, more than 3,000 of whom joined online. Rossbach stated that the world stands at a decisive moment for the future of housing provision and that there is no longer room for inaction.

"Housing systems are under severe pressure due to inequality, speculation, weak governance, rapid urbanization, forced displacement, and the impacts of the climate crisis. Housing markets are failing to meet people's needs. As a result, billions of people face inadequate, unsafe, and unaffordable living conditions," she noted.

The head of UN-Habitat stressed that despite the existing challenges, both a clear vision and political will are emerging to change the situation.