WUF13 features Global Urban Data Coalition meeting
Baku, May 19, AZERTAC
A meeting of the Global Urban Data Coalition, established by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), was held in Baku as part of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13).
The meeting reviewed the Coalition’s recent work and the activities of its technical working groups. Particular attention was given to international cooperation in urban development and housing, data sharing, the development of common digital systems, and data-driven urban policymaking. Participants also discussed the 2026–2029 action plan and defined the roles of member parties in its implementation. The work of two key technical working groups was also in focus.
In her remarks, Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, emphasized that upcoming discussions in New York will set key priorities for the next decade. She added that new tools and mechanisms will be explored to speed up the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
Rossbach noted that informal settlements and housing have been central issues of the New Urban Agenda adopted in Quito 10 years ago, stressing that “urban planning must take informal settlements, including undocumented housing and slums, into consideration.”
The Executive Director said the first working group focuses on informal settlements, while the second addresses future housing. She noted that the aim is to review the impact of urban expansion on nature and society. The coalition was also described as a crucial platform for improving data accessibility and reliability in addressing urbanization challenges.
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