Delegates from 176 countries attending the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, have called for urgent and coordinated global action to address the worsening housing crisis affecting billions of people worldwide.

The call was contained in the “Baku Call to Action,” a comprehensive document issued at the end of the forum, outlining shared priorities and practical steps for governments, development partners and private sector actors to strengthen housing systems globally.

57,000 Participants Shape Global Housing Roadmap

The forum brought together more than 57,000 participants, including over 3,000 online attendees, alongside governments, local authorities, civil society groups, researchers, businesses and grassroots organisations.

The wide participation made WUF13 one of the most inclusive global gatherings on urban development, reflecting diverse perspectives on housing, infrastructure and sustainable cities.

Housing Crisis Linked to Infrastructure and Climate Risks

The Baku Call to Action noted that approximately 2.8 billion people globally live in inadequate housing, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

It stressed that housing must not be viewed only as shelter provision, but as part of a wider system connected to land, infrastructure, transport, public services and economic opportunity.

The document also highlighted how housing inequality is worsened by rising costs, land speculation, displacement, weak governance and climate-related risks such as floods and extreme heat.

Call for Climate-Resilient Housing Systems

A key emphasis of the declaration is the need to integrate climate resilience into housing development.

It called for investment in nature-based solutions, retrofitting of existing housing stock, community-led housing initiatives and improved disaster preparedness systems.

According to the document, vulnerable communities often face the dual burden of housing insecurity and exposure to climate shocks.

Stronger Governance and Financing Urged

The Baku Call to Action also called for improved multilevel governance, expanded housing finance systems and better access to reliable housing data.

It emphasised the importance of empowering local governments and communities to play a stronger role in delivering housing solutions.

UN Highlights Africa’s Housing Deficit

Speaking at a special session on the Africa Affordable Housing Compact, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described housing as central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

She stressed that secure and adequate housing creates the foundation for progress across health, education, gender equality and climate action.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach further warned that Africa’s housing deficit already exceeds 60 million units and could surpass 130 million by 2030 if current trends continue.

She also noted a financing gap of over $1.4 trillion, while highlighting Africa’s rapidly growing urban population as both a challenge and an investment opportunity.

Africa’s Housing Finance Gap and New Compact

Rossbach said Africa receives less than 3 percent of global housing finance despite accounting for nearly one-fifth of the world’s urban population.

To address this imbalance, the African Affordable Housing Compact was introduced, focusing on policy reform, financing pipelines and data systems.

The initiative is built around four key pillars: housing fellowships, deal platforms, data hubs and country-level housing compacts.

A Global Push for Implementation

The WUF13 declaration and associated discussions reinforce a global shift from policy discussions to implementation-focused housing solutions.

Stakeholders agreed that addressing the housing crisis requires coordinated action across governments, investors, and development institutions, with strong emphasis on sustainability, climate resilience and inclusive urban growth.

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A report by an Azerbaijani news agency has highlighted growing cooperation between Libya and Azerbaijan, with both countries focusing on housing development frameworks and urban governance systems.

The development was discussed during a high-level meeting in Baku involving senior officials from both nations, aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration in urban planning and infrastructure development.

High-Level Meeting in Baku

The meeting brought together Anar Guliyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and coordinator of the 13th World Urban Forum, and Issam Al-Tamouni, Libya’s Minister of Housing and Reconstruction.

Both officials explored opportunities for deeper institutional cooperation in housing development and urban management systems.

Focus on Housing Mechanisms and Urban Planning

According to the report, discussions centred on strengthening housing mechanisms and improving urban governance structures in Libya through knowledge exchange and technical collaboration.

The talks also highlighted Azerbaijan’s experience in rebuilding liberated territories and developing modern residential infrastructure.

Officials noted that these experiences could provide valuable insights for Libya’s ongoing reconstruction and housing development efforts.

Knowledge Sharing and Institutional Cooperation

Guliyev stated that both sides reviewed potential areas for long-term institutional cooperation, including the exchange of technical expertise in urban planning and housing development.

He emphasised Azerbaijan’s progress in rebuilding urban areas and its evolving approach to modern residential infrastructure as key areas of interest for collaboration.

Strengthening Global Urban Development Partnerships

The engagement reflects a broader trend of international cooperation in urban development, particularly among countries seeking to modernise housing systems and improve infrastructure governance.

Experts say such partnerships are increasingly important as cities face rapid population growth, housing shortages and rising demand for sustainable urban planning solutions.

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The WUF12 opening ceremony marked the start of a week of events co-led by UN-Habitat and its partners.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anáclaudia Rossbach and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, delivered remarks at the ceremony, encouraging participants to take back insights and solutions to their communities.

Together, they announced the official opening of the five-day Forum, which will bring local and global perspectives on sustainable urban development.

Ahead of the official opening, five Assemblies convened to spotlight the perspectives of key stakeholder groups: grassroots organizations, children and youth, local and regional governments, women, and business and foundations. These assemblies gathered diverse voices to shape solutions for urban challenges, ensuring that the policies discussed at WUF12 represent the needs of people from all backgrounds.

Speaking for the Women’s Assembly, Kalpana Viswanath, CEO of Safetipin, reflected on how the WUF theme resonates with women. She emphasized that home is where resilience starts, noting that safe, inclusive homes foster well-being and build stronger, more equitable communities.

Ann Wanjiru Mbuthia, Coordinator of Mathare Legal Aid, who spoke on behalf of the Grassroots Assembly, highlighted the essential role of grassroots women as first responders within their communities. She discussed the importance of housing security, saying: “Housing is more than just a roof.” She explained that addressing housing will also address the issues of provision of basic services, livelihoods, climate change, adaptation, and building resilient communities.

Representing the Business and Foundations Assembly, Nasra Nanda, CEO of the Kenya Green Building Society, underscored the private sector’s power to catalyse sustainable urban change. She encouraged business leaders to support governments in creating long-term solutions, noting that “private-sector investment is essential for helping cities thrive.”

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