2 mar, 2026
WUF 13 – Housing the World, Building Resilient Communities
The World Urban Forum (WUF) is the leading global conference on sustainable urbanization, established by the United Nations in 2001 to manage the challenges created by rapid urban growth and its impact on communities, economies, climate, and public policy. The first forum was held in Nairobi in 2002, and since then WUF has become an important international platform bringing together governments, experts, businesses, and civil society.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. This forum will gather thousands of participants in Baku under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” The forum will focus on the global housing crisis and explore how housing can support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development. The forum will highlight the global housing crisis, as nearly 3 billion people face inadequate housing conditions worldwide.
Key discussions at WUF13 will include:
- The Global Housing Crisis: What is the Plan?
- Transforming Informal Settlements and Slums
- Housing in Crisis Recovery and Reconstruction
- The Climate–Housing Nexus
- The Social and Economic Power of Housing
- A New Deal for Housing Finance
The Role of Civil Society Organizations and NGOs at WUF13
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and NGOs play an important role in the World Urban Forum by ensuring urban development discussions focus on people’s needs and social inclusion. While governments and institutions shape policies, NGOs connect these policies with real community needs and lived experiences.
WUF13 aims to strengthen global cooperation and accelerate practical solutions for safer, more inclusive urban communities.
Turkan Mukhtarli