WUF13 panel on “Housing at the center of crisis recovery and reconstruction”
Baku, May 21, AZERTAC
An event titled “Housing at the center of crisis recovery and reconstruction” was held as part of the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) on May 21, in Baku.
The event, moderated by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Nadira Tudor, Head of Euronews Baku Bureau, explored why housing provision should be placed at the center of response, recovery, and reconstruction processes in cities affected by conflicts, climate shocks, and natural disasters.
The session examined not only the protection of housing, land, and property rights, but also how governments, communities, and the private sector can rebuild homes and neighborhoods on a large scale.
The event featured a video address by Barham Ahmed Salih Salih, the 12th United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Among the speakers were Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat; and others.
They emphasized that, first and foremost, the destruction of cities and the displacement of communities must be prevented. Urban crises are, in essence, the result of weakened accountability mechanisms for human rights violations and the erosion of respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.
It was noted that the international system’s heavy reliance on humanitarian aid sometimes weakens people’s ability to build and organize their own futures. It is essential to preserve people’s own resources, energy, and motivation, and to view them not as victims, but as active participants in the process.
The event continued with in-depth discussions on the topic.
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