The program covering the main events of the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will be held in Baku on May 17-22, has been presented to the public.
According to information provided to Modern.az by the WUF13 Operating Company, the program brings together representatives of various stakeholders and like-minded groups within the framework of WUF13 to discuss one of the most pressing challenges in the world: housing provision.
The information states that the WUF13 event, dedicated to the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Settlements,” will bring together national governments from various countries, as well as communities, experts, and partners, to exchange ideas, formulate policy approaches, and accelerate actions related to sustainable urban development: “The program enables high-level discussions through practical and solution-oriented platforms, as well as interactive meeting formats, ensuring that global policy is based on local experience.”
To get more detailed information about each category and to familiarize yourself with the full program of the WUF13 event, you can follow this link: //wuf.unhabitat.org/main-events
Dialogues: shaping the global housing agenda
High-level dialogues that set the direction of global discussions form the core of the WUF13 program. Within the framework of these dialogues, the connection of housing provision with inclusivity, sustainability, and urban systems will be explored. In addition, each of the dialogues will discuss a significant aspect of housing provision:
• Global housing crisis: What is the way out?
• Transformation of informal settlements and slums
• Housing provision in the recovery and reconstruction of post-crisis cities
• The link between climate and housing policy
• Social and economic impact of housing provision
• New approaches to financing housing provision
The goal of these discussions is to connect global problems with practical solutions and shared commitments.
Special sessions: detailed discussion of important urban planning issues
Special sessions focus on topics such as climate adaptation, housing provision, informal settlements, urban renewal, digitalization, financing mechanisms, and inclusive urban development.
These sessions create a platform for more specific discussions, showcasing the experiences, partnerships, and innovative approaches of different regions.
This includes housing provision at the center of global coalitions, the WUF13 host country's special session, the pulse of healthy homes, affordable housing in Africa (special session in the format of a compact deal room for investors), cities as playgrounds, cultural heritage and inclusive urban regeneration - A New Vision, from waste management to circular economy, stories from “Contact Lines”: Developing urban climate heritage, inclusive urban sustainability in small island developing states, “blue” economy and sustainable tourism, and the WUF13 special closing session.
Assemblies: the power of collective voices
It was noted that Assemblies create special platforms for various like-minded groups to come together and express their roles, as well as to articulate common priorities within the global urban planning agenda: “Assemblies will bring together local and regional governments, local and community-based organizations, as well as representatives of women, youth, business circles and industries, including parliamentary representatives, to exchange ideas on key urban planning issues.
By promoting dialogue among these groups, assemblies will contribute to reflecting diverse opinions in the event's outcomes and strengthen collective advocacy for sustainable urban development.”
Roundtables: from dialogue to action
The Forum will also host roundtables - action-oriented sessions that bring together partners and colleagues to exchange ideas on key urban planning issues. These discussions will serve as a platform for identifying common positions and exploring possible options to combat emerging challenges, as well as presenting projects, initiatives, and scientific research activities that demonstrate the value of inclusivity and equal mutual learning.
The roundtables consist of 12 sessions dedicated to a specific like-minded group or thematic area: One UN, local and regional governments, business organizations, women, persons with disabilities, parliamentary representatives, academic circles, children and youth, professionals, local and civil society organizations, indigenous peoples' rights, and older persons' rights.
