Geneva: A panel discussion titled 'Addressing the Global Housing Crisis Together' was conducted on January 15-16, 2026, as part of the 35th High-Level Meeting organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Geneva.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the panel featured notable figures such as Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan, and WUF13 National Coordinator, alongside Anacl¡udia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The event, themed 'Reshaping Multilateralism in an Era of Divides and Transformation,' attracted over 50 high-level international participants from more than 30 countries.
The panel underscored the urgency for collective action to uphold human rights, international law, and public goods, emphasizing the critical role of adequate housing in sustainable urban development, as outlined in the UN-Habitat 2026-2029 Strategic Plan. Discussions focused on the importance of translating global commitments into concrete actions and accelerating solutions to ensure safe, affordable, and resilient housing for all.
In his remarks, Anar Guliyev highlighted multilateralism as an effective approach to addressing global challenges that no single country can tackle alone, such as climate change, rapid urbanization, inequality, and sustainable development. He emphasized the crucial role cities and human settlements play in transforming global solutions into practical action.
Guliyev noted that Azerbaijan's cities and infrastructure, strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, North and South, act as bridges connecting regions and societies. He elaborated on the large-scale reconstruction and integrated urban development projects in Karabakh and East Zangazur, which aim not only at rebuilding territories but also at fostering long-term peace, stability, and regional cooperation. He invited international counterparts to participate in the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum, scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17-22, 2026.
Senior leadership and representatives from prominent organizations, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Trade Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, also participated in the meeting.
Organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in partnership with the UN Office in Geneva, the high-level meeting serves as a significant international platform for strengthening multilateral cooperation and addressing key global agenda issues.