Abu dhabi: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has highlighted the critical role of the private sector in addressing the global housing crisis. Francine Pickup, Deputy Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support at UNDP, emphasized the connection between housing issues and poverty reduction during an event titled 'The Social and Economic Power of Housing.' This event was part of the third day of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Pickup noted that housing is closely linked to poverty reduction and that UNDP aims to enhance sustainable development, quality of life, and social resilience. She pointed out that housing is often viewed as a separate sector and not integrated with social, economic, and development dimensions. Pickup stressed the importance of private sector investment in housing construction, arguing that state financing alone is inadequate to meet global housing needs.