The destruction of cities and the displacement of communities represent a profound crisis resulting from the erosion of international humanitarian law and human rights protections, according to a United Nations official. Speaking at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) during an event titled "Housing at the Center of Recovery and Reconstruction After Crisis," Paula Gaviria, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, emphasized the urgent need to prevent the annihilation of urban settlements.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Gaviria pointed to Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine as tragic examples of this trend. She questioned the feasibility of reconstruction while human rights violations continue unabated, noting that the crisis is not limited to armed conflict but also includes organized crime and gang violence, as seen in Haiti. "The question is not how quickly buildings are constructed, but whether they are built to reduce future risks and prevent people from being displaced again," she stated, criticizing the gap between the "build back better" concept and the reality of fragile infrastructure.
The World Urban Forum is the leading global platform for discussing sustainable urban development and the challenges of rapid urbanization. For Azerbaijan, these discussions are particularly relevant as the country continues its extensive reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangazur. The Azerbaijani government has prioritized the implementation of "smart city" and "smart village" concepts in these regions to ensure the safe and sustainable return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral lands, aligning with international standards for resilient urban planning and the restoration of human rights in post-conflict zones.
