Joint opening of assemblies held as part of World Urban Forum 13 VIDEO
Baku, May 17, AZERTAC
The Joint Opening of the Assemblies was held as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
The session, moderated by Aditya Kumar, a consultant and Senior Expert for UN-Habitat on stakeholder engagement, is focused on the theme “How do we turn shared priorities into collective momentum for action?”.
The Joint Opening of the Assemblies sets the tone for WUF13, transforming a diverse gathering of stakeholders into a collective force for action. At a moment marked by escalating housing challenges, climate pressures, and deepening inequalities, this opening moves beyond formal ceremony to activate participants as contributors to the Forum’s outcomes. Designed as a dynamic and immersive experience, the session blends storytelling, high-level engagement, and interactive participation to surface shared priorities and catalyze early commitments. Voices from across constituencies—youth, grassroots, private sector, local governments, and women leaders—will frame the ambitions of each assembly, grounding global challenges in lived realities.
Speaking at the session, Anar Guliyev, National Coordinator of WUF13 and Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, emphasized that the global housing crisis extends beyond physical structures to encompass human safety, opportunity, and climate resilience. He highlighted WUF as an essential, inclusive platform that unites diverse segments of society, ensuring the voices of women, children, youth, civil society, and local governments are integrated into the final outcomes.
Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, expressed gratitude to all partners, particularly Azerbaijan, for hosting the event. She described the forum as a vital global platform for state representatives, civil society, and the business community to share visions, build new alliances, and inspire urban transformation.
Clara Brugada, Head of Government of Mexico City, characterized the forum as a strategic space to shape the future of urban development, stressing the need for open, inclusive cities and multilateral cooperation to drive socio-economic and ecological progress.
Imtiaz Ahmed, a child rights advocate and journalist from Bangladesh, underscored that a home is the foundation of a child's fundamental rights to health, sanitation, and education, serving as a protective shield against violence.
Celine D’Cruz, a founding member of Slum Dwellers International (SDI), shared insights from her work with the urban poor in Mumbai, addressing the complexities local authorities face when dealing with large-scale informal settlements.
Samir Mammadov, representing the UN Global Compact Network, noted that sustainability has become integral to shareholder value and business survival, requiring innovation across all sectors to implement responsible development practices.
Ana Cristina Ingles of the Angola Urban Laboratory concluded by stating that a safe home represents stability, dignity, and a sense of belonging, calling WUF the ideal platform to help fulfill these aspirations for women globally.
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