Once again, I was privileged to attend a UN World Urban Forum, WUF13; held in Baku, Azerbaijan from May 17-22, 2026. Of the many events and conferences I have attended over the years this meeting was the most rewarding. The WUFs attract tens of thousands of people around the world 15,000, 20,000 and even 30,000 at WUF12 in Cairo. This WUF, under the brilliant leadership of UN Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach, attracted 58,000 attendees! One aspect of the gathering is the extremely positive environment generated by the attendees.so many people in pursuit of a positive and love filled future: programs, policies, actions, and networking. It doesn’t get better. Addressing multiple crises: housing informal communities, equity, femicide, public space, regeneration, culture, tradition, nature-based solutions, new urban districts, urban economy, financialization, WUF Academy, and the will to act…and much much more. I had the opportunity to see old friends and colleagues and meet new friends and colleagues from all over the world. I learned a great deal, shared a great deal, and now look forward to being continued positive actions and WUF14 in Mexico City in 2028.
I am the CSU representative to the Habitat Professionals Forum (HPF). In 2024 I was elected Co-Chair of the HPF and while I was invited to participate in several events at the WUF13 my primary activities involved my role as the HPF Co-Chair and the sessions and initiatives HPF delivered.
These events were the:
- HPF Press Conference
- HPF Roundtable
- HPF Baku Declaration
The press conference focused on explaining the history and role of the HPF, and the release of the document prepared since WUF 12, Recovering the Future: A Framework for Transformative Recovery from Disasters The press conference and the release of the document prepared since WUF 12, Recovering the Future: A Framework for Transformative Recovery from Disasters. The Roundtable discussed the Framework and its predecessors, the post-Covid HPF The 2022 Roadmap to Recovery, Katowice, Poland and the HPF 2024 The International Participatory Charter for Urban and Territorial Development to Deliver to the New Urban Agenda, Cairo, Egypt. And then the 2026 HPF Roundtable posed a series of questions related to next steps in creating a more just and livable planet. This was done by holding four breakout sessions as part of the Roundtable event.
My very last event at WUF13 was the final instalment of the (daily) 8 AM Women’s Caucus. At this early morning gathering, I had the great privilege and opportunity to hear Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed address a gathering of 50+ women (and a few men—referred to as “endangered species”) on the many critical issues facing the world at this time. It should be noted that the Deputy Secretary-General led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The theme of WUF13 was “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities ” Ms. Mohammed noted that global housing is not experienced on equal terms: women in informal settlements and younger and older persons face violence. Women also shoulder a significant mental health burden. Also, Ms. Mohammed emphasized the need to break the cycle of violence. (GBV— she is a survivor!)
I invite you to peruse the entire Baku Dispatch. You will find some personal comments and more in-depth information on the many contributions made by the HPF and others during the week. It starts with the Baku Call to Action, the summary instructions for us all going forward and links to the HPF Roadmap Charter, and Framework.
