OPEC Fund seeks to integrate housing into urban infrastructure development agenda

The OPEC Fund for International Development is working to integrate housing issues into the broader agenda of urban infrastructure development and sustainable city planning, Head Innovative Financing Solutions Unit at the OPEC Fund for International Development Walid Mehalaine said during a panel discussion at WUF13 in Baku.

According to Report, Walid Mehaline made the remarks during the session titled "From Global Housing Finance to Local Action on Affordable Housing: Leveraging Global Development Finance and Subnational Financing."

According to him, housing issues are generally not among the key topics discussed during negotiations with partner governments.

"Central authorities and finance ministries often view the housing sector as the responsibility of local administrations, while local authorities lack sufficient resources to address the issue. That is why the OPEC Fund is working to integrate housing into the broader agenda of urban infrastructure development and sustainable cities," he stressed.