Anar Guliyev: Housing is economic and climate challenge as well

The housing issue is not only a social matter, but also an economic and climate challenge, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, said during the ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda held within the framework of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

Report quotes Guliyev as saying the significance of Baku becoming a global platform where ancient history meets modern development: "This forum coincides with the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the New Urban Agenda and the midpoint of its 20‑year implementation period."

According to him, the accelerating pace of urbanization worldwide, combined with housing shortages, climate risks, and post‑conflict reconstruction processes, makes international cooperation increasingly necessary.

"WUF13 is not merely a reporting event but a strategic opportunity for a new phase of action. The New Urban Agenda, adopted in 2016, presented a shared vision for sustainable urban development based on inclusivity, resilience, well‑being, and ecological responsibility. The main theme of WUF13 – Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities – places housing at the center of global urbanization discussions. Housing shapes people's access to opportunities, education, healthcare, and livelihoods. This issue is directly linked to human dignity," the chairman stressed.