Baku-hosted WUF13 features Business Assembly session
Baku, May 17, AZERTAC
The session of the Business Assembly, entitled “Business Assembly: Delivering Against Odds: Private Sector Leadership Across the Housing Value Chain”, was held as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum.
At the session, moderated by senior foreign correspondent and executive producer at global media brand Monocle, Carlota Miguel Carreira Rebelo, discussions mainly focused on adequate housing planning and the transformation of the housing value chain.
The event also featured an exchange of views on the role of the private sector alongside public action in the global economy to address this critical development challenge.
In his remarks, Director of the Regional Programmes Division at UN-Habitat, Patrick Canagasingham, emphasized that discussions within the Business Assembly clearly define the private sector, academia, and diversity as key partners, stressing that business stakeholders are a driving force in addressing complex global challenges through cooperation.
International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Antonio Campagnoli, emphasized the importance of adequate housing, stressing that climate change must be integrated into housing provision. He noted that the focus should go beyond building more homes to include planning, service access, and climate resilience, warning that by 2030 around 3 billion people will demand safe and affordable housing, increasing pressure on governments and institutions.
Afterwards, the session featured panel discussions.
Speakers shared insights into developments and challenges in the construction sector in their countries, highlighting transformation, efficiency, data-driven governance, and digitalization. They also discussed affordable housing, private sector involvement, construction challenges, and blue-green infrastructure.
Azerbaijan’s urban development projects, including green and smart city approaches in the liberated territories, was also highlighted at the event.
Gulnara Roll, head of the secretariat of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Sergiu Stoicov, Chief Executive Officer/General Director of Holcim Azerbaijan; Alexey Spirin, Director of the Climate Regulation and International Certification Department at UC RUSAL, and Parisa Kloss, CEO of SmatSyban, discussed private sector commitments in the housing value chain, emphasizing the alignment of innovation and operational practices with global priorities.
They highlighted the importance of accelerating ready-made housing solutions in the market, ensuring access to adequate, safe, affordable, and climate-resilient housing, and transforming the housing value chain by increasing supply. They also stressed the need for integrated low-carbon solutions supported by land and planning readiness, infrastructure provision, regulatory processes, and stronger coordination between public authorities and market actors.
The Business Assembly offers a strategic platform for mobilizing private capital and reducing risks in the process of ensuring adequate housing and transforming the housing value chain.
Other news in this section
