MEXICO CITY TO HOST WORLD URBAN FORUM 14 IN 2028 AS UN-HABITAT SEEKS TO ACCELERATE GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
MEXICO CITY TO HOST WORLD URBAN FORUM 14 (WUF14) from July 31 to August 4, 2028
By K254 Media Africa
October 31, 2026 | Mexico City, Mexico
FROM NAIROBI TO BAKU: THE GLOBAL JOURNEY OF THE WORLD URBAN FORUM
Mexico City will host the 14th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF14) from July 31 to August 4, 2028, bringing together governments, city leaders, development institutions, urban planners and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of sustainable urbanisation.
The dates were officially announced on October 27, 2026, during a press conference in the Mexican capital attended by Mexico City's Head of Government, Clara Brugada Molina, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia Rossbach.
The announcement sets the stage for another major international gathering focused on addressing the growing challenges facing cities, including housing, urban infrastructure, climate resilience, sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
Hosting WUF14 will also mark the World Urban Forum's return to Latin America and the Caribbean after more than a decade, positioning Mexico City as a global platform for advancing discussions on sustainable human settlements and the implementation of international urban development commitments.
MEXICO CITY POSITIONS ITSELF AS A GLOBAL URBAN DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM
Speaking during the announcement, Mexico City's Head of Government, Clara Brugada Molina, described the hosting of WUF14 as a historic opportunity for the Mexican capital.
She noted that the gathering would provide a strategic platform for representatives from cities around the world to exchange proposals, deliberate on urban challenges and collectively shape the future of cities.
Brugada further observed that WUF14 would serve as a preamble to evaluating progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing an opportunity to assess achievements and identify areas requiring accelerated action.
The hosting decision follows Mexico City's selection in March 2023 after a competitive bidding process and comprehensive evaluation that included technical visits, security assessments and reviews of the proposed venue and logistical arrangements.
UN-HABITAT CALLS FOR STRONGER GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ON SUSTAINABLE CITIES
UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach welcomed the forum's return to Latin America, emphasising the importance of strengthening political commitment towards adequate housing and sustainable urban development.
“I am delighted that the World Urban Forum is returning to Latin America. This comes at a critical moment, when we are seeing growing political support for adequate housing. WUF14 will be an opportunity to build on this momentum, strengthen partnerships and coalitions, and accelerate action towards sustainable urban development,” Rossbach said.
She added that UN-Habitat looks forward to working with governments, cities, development partners and stakeholders globally to advance the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Particular attention will be directed towards Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Rossbach also highlighted the importance of building on the commitments of the Baku Call to Action, reinforcing the connection between the outcomes of WUF13 and the next phase of global urban development discussions.
During her visit to Mexico, the UN-Habitat Executive Director held engagements aimed at strengthening strategic alliances ahead of WUF14, including meetings with government representatives, youth, civil society and the academic community.
FROM NAIROBI TO BAKU: THE GLOBAL JOURNEY OF THE WORLD URBAN FORUM
Established by the United Nations in 2001, the World Urban Forum was created to address the challenges associated with rapid urbanisation and its impact on people, cities, economies, climate and public policies.
Convened by UN-Habitat every two years, the forum provides an open and inclusive platform for high-level dialogue, knowledge exchange and stakeholder contributions to international intergovernmental processes.
Notably, the inaugural World Urban Forum (WUF1) was held in Nairobi, Kenya, placing the Kenyan capital at the centre of the forum's history.
Since then, successive editions have been hosted in different cities around the world, reflecting the global nature of urbanisation challenges and the need for collaborative approaches to sustainable development.
Latin America has previously hosted WUF5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and WUF7 in Medellín, Colombia. The region also hosted the Habitat III Conference in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016, where the New Urban Agenda was adopted.
The upcoming WUF14 will therefore represent another significant opportunity for the region to contribute to global urban policy discussions and strengthen international cooperation on sustainable cities.
BAKU WUF13 SETS A NEW PARTICIPATION RECORD
The announcement of WUF14 comes following the successful conclusion of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in May 2026.
WUF13 recorded unprecedented participation, bringing together more than 58,000 participants from 176 countries, making it a landmark gathering in the history of the global urban development platform.
The Baku edition provided an important opportunity for governments, international organisations, city authorities, investors, civil society and development partners to exchange experiences and advance discussions on sustainable urbanisation.
The commitments captured in the Baku Call to Action are expected to provide an important reference point as stakeholders prepare for the Mexico City gathering.
The transition from Baku to Mexico City also underscores the importance of maintaining continuity in global urban development discussions, ensuring that commitments made at international forums translate into practical action at national and local levels.
WHAT WUF14 MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL CITIES
As cities continue to expand, the pressure on housing, infrastructure, transport, sanitation, energy, water resources and public services remains a major development concern.
WUF14 will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to examine how governments and development partners can strengthen urban planning, mobilise investment and develop sustainable solutions to the challenges facing rapidly growing urban centres.
The emphasis on adequate housing and SDG 11 also places inclusive urban development at the centre of the upcoming discussions.
For developing economies, particularly across Africa, the forum presents an important platform for sharing experiences, attracting partnerships and exploring innovative approaches to financing sustainable infrastructure and human settlements.
The discussions will also be relevant to cities seeking to balance economic growth, environmental protection, technological advancement and social inclusion.
With Mexico City preparing to welcome international delegates from July 31 to August 4, 2028, attention will increasingly turn towards building the partnerships and commitments required to advance the New Urban Agenda.
From Nairobi, where the World Urban Forum began, to Baku, which recorded more than 58,000 participants, and now Mexico City, the global urban development agenda continues to evolve around a shared objective: building cities that are inclusive, resilient, sustainable and capable of delivering better opportunities for all.
K254 Media Africa | Elevating
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