Abu dhabi: 'Housing issues must stand at the center of sustainable development,' United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres said in a video address to participants of the opening ceremony of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the UN Secretary-General highlighted the 10-year review of the New Urban Agenda as a significant milestone. During this period, the primary objective should be the expansion of access to safe, accessible, and affordable housing. Guterres underscored that housing is a human right and a fundamental element of human dignity, urging the World Urban Forum to act as a catalyst in making this vision a shared reality for all.

Guterres pointed out that transforming informal settlements and slums, along with addressing inequalities that heighten social tensions, must be prioritized on a global scale. He called on the international community to unite in their efforts, stressing the importance of collective action: 'Together, we can provide housing for the world and leave no one behind.'