Rossbach: Open Working Group discusses informal settlements transformation

The issue of transforming informal settlements has also been discussed with member states in the Open Working Group, Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, stated during the session held at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

The director noted that leadership of the group has now passed to Azerbaijan and Somalia: "Previously, China and France chaired the group. Certain policy recommendations have been prepared regarding the transformation of informal settlements. The first issue is recognition, data, and statistics. Without accurate data, we cannot track SDG 11.1. Official recognition of these areas at city level, national level, and by statistical institutions is crucial."

She added that in the Global South, people often see informal settlements as entry points to education, healthcare, jobs, and other opportunities when they move to cities: "The social and ecological functions of these spaces must also be considered. Occupying this land is often their only choice, and if these settlements already exist, we must develop them where they are. The second message is about integration. We need integrated solutions, with all sectors working together."