HOW IT WAS: INSIDE WUF13 IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN Full Media Report by K254 Media Africa

BEFORE THE WORLD ARRIVED: BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR WUF13

12–16 MAY 2026: GLOBAL EXPECTATIONS BUILD

Full Media Report by K254 Media Africa

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Days before delegates arrived in Baku, UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan were already positioning WUF13 as one of the most consequential urban development gatherings ever organized.

A series of media briefings highlighted the Forum's ambition to address the interconnected challenges of:

Housing affordability
Climate resilience
Urban migration
Sustainable finance
Inclusive urban planning
Infrastructure development

Global thought leaders expected at WUF13 included housing experts, climate scientists, mayors, migration specialists, urban economists and development financiers.

Among the most anticipated sessions were:

The Global Housing Crisis Dialogue
Climate-Housing Nexus Dialogue
Africa Affordable Housing Compact
Women's Housing Rights Roundtable
Business Assembly
Academia and Research Roundtable

The message was clear:

Housing had become a defining issue of the global development agenda.

17 MAY 2026

THE FLAGS OF THE WORLD RISE IN BAKU

At 8:00 a.m., delegates witnessed one of the first symbolic moments of WUF13.

The official WUF13 Flag Raising Ceremony was held at the Main Entrance of the Baku Olympic Stadium.

The ceremony formally welcomed delegates from more than 176 countries and signaled the start of a week dedicated to shaping the future of cities and communities worldwide.

For many participants, the ceremony represented more than protocol.

It symbolized international solidarity around one common challenge:

How to provide safe, affordable and resilient housing for a rapidly urbanizing world.

SEVERE WEATHER TESTS THE HOST CITY

Shortly before the Forum officially opened, Baku experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall.

According to organizers, precipitation levels reached nearly 400 percent above normal averages, creating operational challenges around the Olympic Stadium venue.

Despite these disruptions, organizers successfully maintained the programme schedule.

UN-Habitat confirmed that all sessions, exhibitions, dialogues and ceremonies would proceed as planned.

The response itself became a practical demonstration of urban resilience—the very theme discussed throughout the Forum.

OPENING PRESS CONFERENCE

SETTING THE GLOBAL AGENDA

On 18 May 2026, senior officials from UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan addressed the world during the Official Opening Press Conference.

Speakers emphasized that housing insecurity, climate risks and urban inequality had become global challenges requiring collective action.

The briefing outlined expectations for a Forum that would eventually become the largest World Urban Forum ever convened.

MEXICO BEGINS ITS JOURNEY TO WUF14

On 18 May, Mexico City officially inaugurated its pavilion within the Urban Expo.

The pavilion showcased innovative approaches to:

Public spaces
Urban mobility
Inclusion
Sustainable development

The launch marked the beginning of Mexico's preparations to host WUF14 in 2028.

The exhibition also demonstrated growing cooperation between Latin American cities and the broader global urban community.

INCLUSIVE HOUSING TAKES CENTER STAGE

One of the first major partnership announcements at WUF13 came through a strategic agreement between UN-Habitat and Alwaleed Philanthropies.

The partnership focuses on advancing housing accessibility for persons with disabilities through pilot initiatives in Tunisia.

The programme combines:

Accessible housing design
Inclusive urban planning
Policy reforms
Capacity development

The announcement reinforced a recurring WUF13 message:

No housing solution is complete unless it includes everyone.

19 MAY 2026

A SHOCKING GLOBAL HOUSING REALITY

One of the most important moments of WUF13 came with the launch of the World Cities Report 2026.

The report presented sobering statistics:

Nearly 3 billion people are affected by the global housing crisis.
Housing shortages exceed 268 million units.
1.1 billion people live in slums or informal settlements.
Housing deficits have increased by 30% in just over a decade.
Climate-related disasters could destroy 167 million homes by 2040.

The report revealed that housing prices continue rising faster than incomes in most regions of the world.

For Africa, the findings were particularly significant, highlighting limited access to housing finance and increasing affordability challenges.

The report called for a new social contract around housing involving governments, private investors and communities.

CITIES MOVE TO THE CENTER OF CLIMATE ACTION

Another major report released during WUF13 revealed a dramatic shift in climate policy.

UN-Habitat's Urban Content in NDC 3.0 Report found that:

80% of national climate plans now include substantial urban measures.
87% address urban adaptation.
83% include urban mitigation actions.

The findings confirmed that cities are no longer viewed merely as victims of climate change.

Instead, cities are increasingly recognized as primary implementation platforms for climate action.

Housing, transport, waste management and urban infrastructure emerged as critical components of national climate strategies.

D-8 COUNTRIES DISCUSS ENERGY AND URBANIZATION

A major side event organized by the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) focused on the relationship between energy transitions and urban development.

Government leaders from:

Azerbaijan
Pakistan
Türkiye
Iran
Nigeria
Bangladesh
Malaysia
Indonesia

explored how affordable and sustainable energy systems can accelerate resilient housing and urban development.

The discussions highlighted opportunities for South-South cooperation in advancing sustainable cities.

ARCHITECTURE AS A TOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT

On 20 May, the International Union of Architects (UIA) and UN-Habitat announced winners of the prestigious UIA 2030 Award.

Projects from across the world demonstrated how architecture can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Particularly noteworthy for Africa was the recognition of:

Kahawa West Health Centre, Kenya

which emerged as a Joint Winner under the category of Participatory, Land-Use Efficient and Inclusive Planning.

The recognition placed Kenya among global leaders demonstrating practical urban solutions.

CLIMATE SCIENCE MEETS CITY POLICY

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) delivered a special statement emphasizing the growing role of urban areas in responding to climate change.

The message reinforced several realities:

Cities face escalating climate risks.
Urban planning remains central to mitigation efforts.
Scientific evidence must directly inform policy decisions.

The session further strengthened the connection between climate science and urban governance.

HOUSING, MIGRATION AND DISPLACEMENT

Several sessions examined the growing relationship between urbanization and displacement.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlighted the importance of integrating migration into urban governance systems.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons participated in discussions on:

Gaza
Sudan
Ukraine
Lebanon

and other displacement contexts.

Participants emphasized that adequate housing, secure tenure and urban services are critical foundations for long-term recovery and peacebuilding.

JOURNALISM FOR URBAN TRANSFORMATION

The Urban Solutions Journalism Academy provided specialized engagement for journalists covering urban issues.

The initiative emphasized the role of media in:

Explaining urban challenges
Highlighting successful solutions
Promoting accountability
Amplifying community voices

For media practitioners attending WUF13, the academy reinforced journalism's role as a catalyst for sustainable urban transformation.

FAITH COMMUNITIES JOIN THE HOUSING DEBATE

On 21 May, faith leaders presented the Faith Pavilion Call to Action on Housing.

The statement brought together religious organizations, humanitarian actors, urban practitioners and civil society groups.

The initiative emphasized that housing is not merely a technical issue but also a moral and ethical concern linked to:

Human dignity
Social justice
Community well-being
Human rights

The statement demonstrated the growing role of faith communities in shaping housing solutions globally.

CELEBRATING BIODIVERSITY AND HEALTHY CITIES

On the final day of the Forum, participants gathered at the Caspian Sea for the "SPLASH! for Swimmable Cities" initiative.

The event highlighted the importance of:

Urban biodiversity
Healthy waterways
Public health
Blue-green infrastructure

The activity symbolized one of WUF13's core messages:

Cities must reconnect people with nature if they are to become resilient and sustainable.

22 MAY 2026

LOWERING OF THE FLAGS

As delegates prepared to depart Baku, the WUF13 Flag Lowering Ceremony marked the official conclusion of the Forum.

The lowering of the flags symbolized the end of an extraordinary week of dialogue, partnerships and commitments.

Yet it also represented the beginning of a larger journey.

The ideas, partnerships, agreements and commitments forged in Baku now move from conference halls into cities, communities and countries across the world.

For the thousands who participated, WUF13 was never intended to be merely a gathering.

It was designed to become a global turning point in the pursuit of adequate housing, resilient communities and sustainable urban futures.

And by every measurable standard, Baku delivered.

Compiled by:

Muhoro Pius W. & Bob Samuel W

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