UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed hope that the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku will serve as a significant impetus for transforming the human right to housing into a practical reality.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the Secretary-General made these remarks in an address to the participants of the WUF13 official opening ceremony. Guterres noted that the forum convenes in the capital of Azerbaijan amidst escalating global crises, including multiplying conflicts and rising energy and food prices. He emphasized that the current agenda is dedicated to a critical yet often overlooked issue—the global housing crisis.
"Approximately 3 billion people live in substandard conditions, often in informal settlements and slums," Guterres stated. "From the rapidly growing cities of developing nations to advanced economies where high rents and homelessness are on the rise, no society is immune. Housing is a human right and the foundation of human dignity. Let this World Urban Forum be the catalyst that turns this right into a reality. Together, we can provide housing for the entire world, leaving no one behind," he added.
The World Urban Forum, established by the United Nations in 2001, is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization. Hosting WUF13 in Baku underscores Azerbaijan's growing role as a major international hub for diplomatic and developmental dialogue. The forum brings together government officials, urban planners, and civil society leaders to address the challenges of rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, economies, and climate change.
