World Urban Forum backs ‘Baku Call to Action’ on global housing crisis
World Urban Forum backs ‘Baku Call to Action’ on global housing crisis
World Urban Forum backs Baku Call - The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum concluded in Baku on Friday, marking a historic moment as it attracted more than 57,000 attendees from across 176 nations—the largest gathering in the Forum’s 13-year history. This unprecedented event culminated in the adoption of the "Baku Call to Action," a comprehensive strategy urging governments, urban centers, and local communities to collaborate on addressing the urgent global housing crisis that impacts billions of people worldwide.
A Global Shift in Housing Priorities
The "Baku Call to Action" emphasizes a transformative approach to housing, positioning it as a system rather than an isolated industry. It advocates for integrating housing with land use, transportation networks, essential services, and economic opportunities, creating a holistic framework that prioritizes the needs of individuals over profit-driven development. By linking housing to broader urban infrastructure, the initiative seeks to ensure that cities evolve as inclusive spaces that support equitable living conditions.
Central to the document is the recognition of interconnected challenges—such as surging living costs, speculative land markets, and climate-related disruptions—as critical factors driving the housing emergency. The call to action proposes integrated, people-focused solutions to tackle these pressures, highlighting the necessity of coordinated efforts across multiple sectors and levels of governance. This includes reimagining how urban spaces are planned and managed to reflect the realities of displacement, governance gaps, and environmental risks.
Another key focus is the inseparable link between housing and climate justice. The document underscores that marginalized communities bear the brunt of climate shocks, such as flooding, extreme heat, and air pollution. By embedding climate resilience into housing policies, the Forum stresses the importance of protecting these vulnerable populations through proactive measures like nature-based solutions, retrofitting existing structures, and improving disaster preparedness in informal settlements.
From Commitments to Concrete Measures
The "Baku Call to Action" calls for translating political pledges into tangible actions, emphasizing the role of multilevel governance and expanded funding mechanisms. It highlights the need for better data collection and greater support for locally driven initiatives, ensuring that decision-making remains grounded in community needs. Local authorities, the Forum argues, are pivotal in this process, as they are often the first responders to urban crises and the custodians of essential services like housing, water, and transportation.
"There is no pathway to achieving the 2030 Agenda without sustainable urbanization and adequate housing." – UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Forum, Amina Mohammed framed the housing crisis as a linchpin of global development, intersecting with challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change. She stressed that cities are not just physical spaces but reflections of societal priorities, revealing what humanity chooses to invest in and who benefits from urban growth. "Cities are the architecture of priorities," she remarked, underscoring their role in shaping the future of millions.
Despite the Forum taking place amid growing global divisions, Mohammed maintained that cooperation remains essential. She noted the erosion of trust in international institutions, warning that the UN Charter’s foundational values are being challenged. Yet, she affirmed that collaborative action is the only viable route to overcoming such complex issues, particularly through the leadership of local governments.
Local authorities, she emphasized, are the frontlines of urban governance, directly addressing crises such as water shortages, transportation breakdowns, and housing insecurity. "They are the ones answering the phone when the storm hits," she said, pointing to their indispensable role in delivering basic necessities and creating resilient urban environments. This perspective aligns with the Forum’s broader push for inclusive, community-centered urban development.
Unified Messaging and Strategic Momentum
UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach praised the Forum for sending a "powerful and unified message" about the urgency of action. She described the current moment as a decisive juncture in housing policy, warning that inaction would exacerbate existing inequalities. "We can no longer afford the luxury of inaction," Rossbach stated, highlighting the need for systemic change to prevent millions from being trapped in substandard living conditions.
Rossbach further warned that housing systems are under immense strain, driven by real estate speculation, rapid urbanization, and governance shortcomings. She argued that market-driven approaches are failing to meet the demand for affordable, safe, and secure housing. "Housing markets are clearly failing to meet people’s needs," she noted, describing how billions are now facing inadequate living environments due to the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Forum’s scale demonstrated the global significance of the issue. Organized jointly by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, the event brought together over 57,000 participants, including more than 3,000 who joined remotely. The week-long meetings featured 579 events, while the largest-ever Urban Expo recorded over 74,000 visits. The gathering also attracted 865 journalists, amplifying the discourse on housing and urban resilience to international audiences.
Local Leadership and Financing Challenges
Francine Pickup, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) delegation at WUF13, highlighted the critical role of financing in addressing the housing crisis. "I think financing is the most significant barrier for smaller and secondary cities," she said, stressing that access to capital is essential for building sustainable housing solutions. Her comments reflect a broader consensus that political commitments must be paired with practical resources to translate aspirations into reality.
The Forum also underscored the necessity of viewing housing not merely as a commodity but as a fundamental human right. By prioritizing affordability, security of tenure, and access to basic services, the document positions housing as a cornerstone of social equity. This shift in perspective is crucial for ensuring that urbanization fosters opportunity rather than exclusion.
As the global housing crisis continues to escalate, the "Baku Call to Action" provides a roadmap for collective progress. With its focus on systemic reform, climate resilience, and local empowerment, the initiative aims to create cities that are not only sustainable but also equitable. The message is clear: without rethinking how housing is structured and delivered, the vision of a better future for all remains out of reach.