The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) has ended in Baku. The final version of the "Baku Call to Action" was published at the conclusion of the forum.
The document aims to reinvigorate efforts to address the growing global housing crisis. It was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultation process, reflecting priorities discussed during WUF13 and the months leading up to it.
WUF13 brought together over 57,000 participants from 176 countries, including more than 3,000 online attendees. It was one of the largest and most diverse stakeholder interactions in the forum's history.
The "Baku Call to Action" is not an intergovernmental agreement but a roadmap of shared priorities and practical measures. It emphasizes collective responsibility and closer cooperation to solve housing problems in various contexts.
One key message is that housing cannot be viewed solely as building houses. The document calls for creating housing systems closely linked to land use, infrastructure, transport, public services, and economic opportunities.
Discussions at WUF13 highlighted that the housing crisis is driven by interconnected factors, including rising prices, land speculation, forced displacement, weak governance, and climate change impacts. The Baku Call to Action urges integrated, people-centered solutions over fragmented approaches.
The document also stresses the growing link between housing and climate justice. Climate risks disproportionately affect communities with the greatest housing vulnerability.
It recommends investing in climate-resilient housing systems through nature-based solutions, retrofitting existing housing, supporting local initiatives, and enhancing disaster preparedness.
The Baku Call to Action underscores a shift from commitments to implementation, calling for strengthened multilevel governance, expanded financing, better data access, and increased support for local authorities and communities to implement solutions on the ground.
