The Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anaclaudia Rossbach, has issued a stark warning regarding the decline in international aid, describing the reduction in funding for UN humanitarian activities as a critical signal for the global community. Speaking at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) during an event titled "From Global Housing Finance to Local Affordable Housing Agenda: Leveraging Global Development and Subnational Financing," Rossbach emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between emergency relief and long-term development.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Rossbach highlighted the importance of integrating global expertise to address housing and urban challenges. "Drawing on my years of experience at the World Bank, I see great opportunities to bring together all our knowledge and skills in the fields of urban planning, housing, and informal settlements. We are a community operating in different geographies with rich experience. If we can combine this multifaceted potential and expertise, we will be stronger and can further expand our sphere of influence and activities," she stated.
The UN-Habitat head noted that the decrease in financial resources has significantly impacted the organization's capacity. She pointed out that the global community has largely failed to establish a functional link between humanitarian aid and sustainable development. According to Rossbach, while saving lives and providing food security remain paramount, focusing solely on immediate relief prevents society from achieving broader objectives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change targets, and the New Urban Agenda.
The World Urban Forum, established by the United Nations in 2001, is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization. It serves as a high-level platform for policymakers, urban planners, and civil society to discuss the rapid challenges of urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, and climate change. Azerbaijan has been an active participant in these global urban discussions, recently hosting the National Urban Forum in Aghdam and Zangilan, reflecting the country's commitment to sustainable reconstruction and modern urban planning in its liberated territories.
