Nairobi: "Sustainable, resilient, and continuous discussions are being held between the United Nations and the African Union," said UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacl¡udia Rossbach during the meeting of African countries' ministers held within the framework of WUF13, APA reports. During the forum, the urgency of addressing urbanization in Africa was brought to the forefront, with Rossbach emphasizing that it is no longer a future concern but a present reality. Currently, 50 percent of Africans reside in urban areas, a figure that is expected to rise dramatically by 2050.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Rossbach highlighted the anticipated demographic shift, noting that between 600 million and 900 million Africans are expected to migrate to cities by 2050. This migration underscores the need for strategic planning to accommodate the increase in urban populations. The rapid growth of secondary cities also demands attention, as they play a crucial role in the urbanization landscape. The Nairobi Declaration's outcomes reflect the existing vision and leadership needed to address these challenges.

Rossbach stressed the critical role of housing policy in the urbanization process, warning that without a central focus on housing, urbanization could lead to disorganized and inequitable outcomes. She advocated for the mapping, improvement, and integration of informal settlements into formal urban frameworks, to ensure that urban growth is managed effectively and inclusively.