{"id":1938605,"date":"2026-05-16T05:00:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T02:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1938605"},"modified":"2026-05-16T05:00:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T02:00:26","slug":"a-call-to-stop-the-global-housing-crisis-world-urban-forum-why-it-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1938605","title":{"rendered":"A call to stop the global housing crisis: World Urban Forum, why it matters?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/80\/64\/1200x675_cmsv2_85855960-d8a4-53c0-8ce9-726d5f2a0dcf-9758064.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887460-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887460\" data-cid=\"9728314\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887460-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" 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width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia launches nearly 300 drones at Ukraine in overnight attack\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887460-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887460\" data-cid=\"9728314\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887460-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/78\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_a70857b0-f727-574c-8505-4e06d897a28d-9727883.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Michelangelo and Rodin in dialogue in an exhibition at the Louvre\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Art<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    When Michelangelo met Rodin: Paris Louvre show matches two masters\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894186-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894186\" data-cid=\"9760978\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894186-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/09\/29\/189x106_cmsv2_ceaf2097-bfba-5919-8a08-da1d46e3fa8e-9760929.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington on 19 November 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French investigating judge to probe 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi\n  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the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2894116\" data-cid=\"9760640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894116-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/06\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_0d334110-337b-5a8c-b74b-ec90aa0c10e7-9760640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launcher fires towards Ukrainian positions on an undisclosed location in Ukraine.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia launches nearly 300 drones at Ukraine in overnight attack\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Azerbaijan<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            A call to stop the global housing crisis: World Urban Forum, why it matters? <\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/80\/64\/1536x864_cmsv2_85855960-d8a4-53c0-8ce9-726d5f2a0dcf-9758064.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Azerbaijan's capital, Baku\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Azerbaijan&#8217;s capital, Baku<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Courtesy of WUF13<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Courtesy of WUF13\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspNadira Tudor&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspSaida Rustamova\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1778907626\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-05-16 07:00:26 +02:00\">16\/05\/2026 &#8211; 7:00 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"12:26\">12:26<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" 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u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        More than 28,000 participants are set to gather in Baku for the UN&#8217;s World Urban Forum as UN-Habitat warns that 3 billion people lack adequate housing and slum populations could triple by 2050.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>At least 3 billion people do not have adequate homes, and over 1 billion are living in slums and informal settlements, according to UN-Habitat, which is calling for action in the midst of a &#8220;global crisis&#8221; in housing. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Most of those suffering reside in Asia and Africa, and the agency is urging decision-makers to recognise that without intervention as many as 3 billion could end up living in slum conditions by 2050 \u2013 a threefold jump.<\/p>\n<p>To bring discussions and debates to the fore, more than 28,000 people are expected to gather in Azerbaijan&#8217;s capital Baku for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), the United Nations\u2019 leading global conference on sustainable urbanisation, to take place between 17 and 22 May. <\/p>\n<p>The event, held every two years and organised by UN-Habitat, is now arguably one of the world\u2019s most significant platforms for discussing the future of cities, housing and urban resilience. The theme this year is \u201cHousing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Anna Soave, Head of UN-Habitat\u2019s Country Office in Azerbaijan, said that as WUF13 prepares itself to welcome delegates from all over the world, \u201cthe housing question is increasingly understood as inseparable from the future of our cities, climate resilience, social-economic prosperity and quality of life.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>She noted that WUF13 matters because it offers a platform \u201cwhere governments, mayors, urban planners, academia, businesses, civil society and communities can discuss and exchange practical solutions on how to build safer, more resilient and more inclusive cities.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The scale of this crisis is increasingly viewed as an economic, political and environmental one, not only a humanitarian predicament. <\/p>\n<p>Soave explained that the benefits for the host country lie in representing \u201cfar more than an international event.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt places the country at the centre of the global urban agenda at a time of rapid urban transformation and major investment in infrastructure, housing, connectivity, post-conflict reconstruction and territorial development,&#8221; Soave said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why housing has become a global issue<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The world reached a turning point in 2009, when urban dwellers made up the majority of the global population. <\/p>\n<p>As a consequence, cities have been facing mounting pressure to better accommodate population growth, migration, climate change and rising living costs. <\/p>\n<p>UN-Habitat has estimated that one in five households globally now spends more than 40% of its income on housing, while housing costs have quadrupled since 2010. <\/p>\n<p>Its figures show that more than 300 million people are homeless worldwide, and over 100 million people are currently displaced by conflict, instability and climate-related crises. <\/p>\n<p>In addition to the reasons mentioned, the COVID-19 pandemic has added to that pressure, reshaping national thinking around housing policy and once again joining the dots between public health, economic resilience and housing. <\/p>\n<p>The UN has responded to these challenges by placing housing and urban development at the centre-stage of its sustainable development agenda \u2013 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why Baku?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Azerbaijan has made significant efforts to promote urban redevelopment and infrastructure modernisation as a long-term strategy.<\/p>\n<p>Hosting WUF13 represents an opportunity for it to engage and position itself within the broader international housing conversation on reconstruction, urban development and redevelopment and sustainability in the sector. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cBaku is a fitting host for WUF13, a city that embodies the opportunities and challenges faced by urban professionals around the world, such as rapid modernisation alongside heritage preservation, and innovation alongside cultural continuity,\u201d said Dr Thomas Kov\u00e1ri, founding partner at the Swiss architecture and urban design company SA partners. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat makes Azerbaijan particularly compelling is the wealth of experience it has to share. In the Karabakh region, for example, the country is developing genuine expertise in \u2018building back better\u2019 by combining sustainability, affordable housing and smart city principles in one of the world\u2019s most ambitious reconstruction projects,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n<p>Kov\u00e1ri said the reconstruction efforts would be discussed during a dedicated WUF13 side event focused on post-conflict urban transformation and sustainable rebuilding models. <\/p>\n<p>Speaking about the experience that Azerbaijan has gained in managing complex international operations and being chosen to host WUF13, CEO of the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company Adil Mammadov said \u201cit shows the level of trust placed in Azerbaijan by international partners such as UN-Habitat and highlights the country\u2019s growing role as a regional hub for large-scale global gatherings.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn other words, WUF13 brings legacy for future global-scale events that will take place in the country\u201d, Mammadov added. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Solutions-based discussions<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This year\u2019s WUF is expected to focus on solutions through practical policy discussions on social housing, land rights, finance, and informal settlements. As cities continue to grow, urban policy is increasingly linked to wider debates around inequality, migration, governance and climate adaptation. <\/p>\n<p>UN-Habitat said more than 41 million people have moved out of slum-like conditions through its programmes between 2020 and 2025, while millions more have gained access to clean water, safe public spaces and secure land tenure rights. <\/p>\n<p>The organisation advocates what it describes as a \u201ctwin-track\u201d approach: upgrading existing informal settlements while simultaneously expanding the supply of affordable housing. <\/p>\n<p>Other priorities expected to dominate discussions in Baku include climate resilience, flood protection, digital urban planning, public transport integration and financing models for low-income households. <\/p>\n<p>For many attending WUF13, the challenge facing governments is no longer simply how to build more homes, but how to create cities capable of remaining stable, inclusive and resilient in an era of mounting global pressure. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>From Nairobi to Baku<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Established by the UN General Assembly in 2001, alongside the creation of UN-Habitat, the World Urban Forum resides in a different city every two years.<\/p>\n<p>The first forum took place in Nairobi in 2002 with around 1,200 participants. <\/p>\n<p>Previous host cities have included Barcelona, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, Abu Dhabi, Katowice and Cairo. <\/p>\n<p>Analysts say the focus on housing in 2026 reflects a growing recognition that access to affordable, safe housing is becoming central to long-term economic stability and social cohesion. <\/p>\n<p>WUF13 in Baku is expected to become the largest edition of the forum to date. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Global leaders discuss cooperation and governance at international forum<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  12th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Ministerial meeting focuses on energy security<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Azerbaijan welcomes global urban planning experts ahead of the 2026 World Urban Forum<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Housing<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Summit<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Azerbaijan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2894142-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894142\" data-cid=\"9760778\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894142-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/07\/78\/320x180_cmsv2_659ea4f3-de9c-592b-a3b7-80d9a6314586-9760778.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AP photo\" 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self-propelled multiple rocket launcher fires towards Ukrainian positions on an undisclosed location in Ukraine.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia launches nearly 300 drones at Ukraine in overnight attack<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894111-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894111\" data-cid=\"9760630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894111-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/47\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_8061d737-86b1-5d1a-9832-134be3ee6dc1-9714746.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"ap\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  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<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893809-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893809\" data-cid=\"9759110\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893809-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/91\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_b0a0549f-46e5-5c6a-9253-71b65193b078-9759110.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during an Nvidia conference focusing on artificial intelligence in San Jose, Calif., Monday, March 16, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Nvidia richer than Germany? How tech giants compare to top economies<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893911-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893911\" data-cid=\"9759527\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Point of no return&#8217;: 36 countries join tribunal to prosecute Putin<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893950-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893950\" data-cid=\"9759857\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pompeii: A doctor identified thanks to his instruments<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893989-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893989\" data-cid=\"9760077\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Norway confirms move to cancel missile system sale to Malaysia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893536-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893536\" data-cid=\"9757725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe do workers earn the most \u2014 and the least?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893931-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893931\" data-cid=\"9759670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Underwhelming summit outcome in China brings Trump back to reality<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">At least 3 billion people do not have adequate homes, and over 1 billion are living in slums and informal settlements, according to UN-Habitat, which is calling for action in the midst of a &#8220;global crisis&#8221; in housing.\u00a0Most of those suffering reside in Asia and Africa, and the agency is urging decision-makers to recognise that without intervention as many as 3 billion could end up living in slum conditions by 2050 \u2013 a threefold jump.To bring discussions and debates to the fore, more than 28,000 people are expected to gather in Azerbaijan&#8217;s capital Baku for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), the United Nations\u2019 leading global conference on sustainable urbanisation, to take place between 17 and 22 May.The event, held every two years and organised by UN-Habitat, is now arguably one of the world\u2019s most significant platforms for discussing the future of cities, housing and urban resilience. The theme this year is \u201cHousing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.\u201dAnna Soave, Head of UN-Habitat\u2019s Country Office in Azerbaijan, said that as WUF13 prepares itself to welcome delegates from all over the world, \u201cthe housing question is increasingly understood as inseparable from the future of our cities, climate resilience, social-economic prosperity and quality of life.\u201dShe noted that WUF13 matters because it offers a platform \u201cwhere governments, mayors, urban planners, academia, businesses, civil society and communities can discuss and exchange practical solutions on how to build safer, more resilient and more inclusive cities.\u201dThe scale of this crisis is increasingly viewed as an economic, political and environmental one, not only a humanitarian predicament.Soave explained that the benefits for the host country lie in representing \u201cfar more than an international event.\u201d\u201cIt places the country at the centre of the global urban agenda at a time of rapid urban transformation and major investment in infrastructure, housing, connectivity, post-conflict reconstruction and territorial development,&#8221; Soave said.Why housing has become a global issueThe world reached a turning point in 2009, when urban dwellers made up the majority of the global population.As a consequence, cities have been facing mounting pressure to better accommodate population growth, migration, climate change and rising living costs.UN-Habitat has estimated that one in five households globally now spends more than 40% of its income on housing, while housing costs have quadrupled since 2010.Its figures show that more than 300 million people are homeless worldwide, and over 100 million people are currently displaced by conflict, instability and climate-related crises.In addition to the reasons mentioned, the COVID-19 pandemic has added to that pressure, reshaping national thinking around housing policy and once again joining the dots between public health, economic resilience and housing.The UN has responded to these challenges by placing housing and urban development at the centre-stage of its sustainable development agenda \u2013 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.Why Baku?Azerbaijan has made significant efforts to promote urban redevelopment and infrastructure modernisation as a long-term strategy.Hosting WUF13 represents an opportunity for it to engage and position itself within the broader international housing conversation on reconstruction, urban development and redevelopment and sustainability in the sector.\u201cBaku is a fitting host for WUF13, a city that embodies the opportunities and challenges faced by urban professionals around the world, such as rapid modernisation alongside heritage preservation, and innovation alongside cultural continuity,\u201d said Dr Thomas Kov\u00e1ri, founding partner at the Swiss architecture and urban design company SA partners.\u201cWhat makes Azerbaijan particularly compelling is the wealth of experience it has to share. In the Karabakh region, for example, the country is developing genuine expertise in \u2018building back better\u2019 by combining sustainability, affordable housing and smart city principles in one of the world\u2019s most ambitious reconstruction projects,\u201d he added.Kov\u00e1ri said the reconstruction efforts would be discussed during a dedicated WUF13 side event focused on post-conflict urban transformation and sustainable rebuilding models.Speaking about the experience that Azerbaijan has gained in managing complex international operations and being chosen to host WUF13, CEO of the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company Adil Mammadov said \u201cit shows the level of trust placed in Azerbaijan by international partners such as UN-Habitat and highlights the country\u2019s growing role as a regional hub for large-scale global gatherings.&#8221;\u201cIn other words, WUF13 brings legacy for future global-scale events that will take place in the country\u201d, Mammadov added.Solutions-based discussionsThis year\u2019s WUF is expected to focus on solutions through practical policy discussions on social housing, land rights, finance, and informal settlements. As cities continue to grow, urban policy is increasingly linked to wider debates around inequality, migration, governance and climate adaptation.UN-Habitat said more than 41 million people have moved out of slum-like conditions through its programmes between 2020 and 2025, while millions more have gained access to clean water, safe public spaces and secure land tenure rights.The organisation advocates what it describes as a \u201ctwin-track\u201d approach: upgrading existing informal settlements while simultaneously expanding the supply of affordable housing.Other priorities expected to dominate discussions in Baku include climate resilience, flood protection, digital urban planning, public transport integration and financing models for low-income households.For many attending WUF13, the challenge facing governments is no longer simply how to build more homes, but how to create cities capable of remaining stable, inclusive and resilient in an era of mounting global pressure.From Nairobi to BakuEstablished by the UN General Assembly in 2001, alongside the creation of UN-Habitat, the World Urban Forum resides in a different city every two years.The first forum took place in Nairobi in 2002 with around 1,200 participants.Previous host cities have included Barcelona, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, Abu Dhabi, Katowice and Cairo.Analysts say the focus on housing in 2026 reflects a growing recognition that access to affordable, safe housing is becoming central to long-term economic stability and social cohesion.WUF13 in Baku is expected to become the largest edition of the forum to date.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/05\/16\/a-call-to-stop-the-global-housing-world-urban-forum-why-it-matters&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/80\/64\/1200x675_cmsv2_85855960-d8a4-53c0-8ce9-726d5f2a0dcf-9758064.jpg&#8221;] Art When Michelangelo met Rodin: Paris Louvre show matches two masters Europe News French investigating judge to probe 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi Europe News Lampedusa migrant landing: newborn dies, probe opened Europe News Russia launches nearly 300 drones at Ukraine in overnight attack Art When Michelangelo met Rodin: Paris Louvre show [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1938605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1938605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1938605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1938605\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1938605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1938605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1938605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}