Ministerial - Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda (NUA) - Closing Segment (WUF13)

Distinguished delegates.
Welcome back.
I trust that today's discussions have been productive and forward looking.
I wish to thank all participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions throughout the day.
First, I have the pleasure to invite Mr.
Rafael Toots, Director, UN Habitat Global Solutions Division to give closing remarks on behalf of UN Habitat Executive Director.
Mr.
Toots, you have the floor.
Excellencies, distinguished Ministers, Mr.
Chair, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.
As we come to the close of this ministerial meeting, allow me to thank all ministers, heads of delegation, panelists, and partners for the rich, substantive and long discussions that we have had today.
I would also like once again to express my appreciation to the government of the Republic of Azerbijan and to you, Mr.
Chair, for your leadership in convening this important meeting on the opening day of the World Upan Forum 13.
Today's discussions have reminded us that the new urban agenda remains as relevant as ever.
Ten years after its adoption, it continues to provide a shared framework for addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time inequality, inadequate housing, informality, climate risk, infrastructure gaps, displacement, and the need for more inclusive, productive, and resilient urban development.
At the same time, today's discussions have also made clear that the next decade must be defined by implementation.
We heard strong messages on the need to place adequate housing at the center of sustainable urban development.
We heard about the importance of linking housing with land, basic services, transport jobs, public space, finance, and climate action.
We also heard that delivery depends on strong mutual governance, multi level governance, predictable financing, local capacity, partnerships, and better data.
These messages are timely and important.
This ministerial meeting is not an isolated moment.
It is part of the road from Baku to New York and from the World Urban Forum to the high level meeting of the General Assembly on the midterm review of the New Urban Agenda in July.
The discussions today will help inform the chair's summary, the wider outcomes of WF, and the preparations for the high level meeting.
They will also help sharpen our collective understanding of what must change if the second decade of the new urban agenda is to deliver at the scale and speed that is required.
We must continue to support member states and local and regional governments in turning commitments into practical action.
We must help scale solutions for adequate housing, land, and basic services.
We must support the transformation of informal settlements.
We must strengthen the evidence, partnerships, and financing needed to make sustainable urbanization a reality.
But this is a shared responsibility.
The new Urban agenda can only be delivered through collective action by national government, local and regional government, communities, civil society, the private sector, development partners, and the United Nations systems working closely together.
In a moment, the chair will provide closing reflections and present a summary of today's meeting.
I hope this will capture not only the issues raised, but also the sense of urgency and possibility that has emerged from our discussions today.
Let us carry this momentum forward through Wolf 13 to the Baku call of action and onward to the high level meeting in New York.
The midterm of the new urban agenda should be remembered not only for a moment of review, but as a moment of renewed commitment to implementation, to partnership, and to improving people's lives through adequate housing and sustainable urban development.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Tots.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, as we conclude the ministerial meeting on the urban agenda here in Baku, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to all participants for your valuable contributions, thoughtful reflections, and strong commitment to advancing sustainable urban development.
Today's discussions have clearly demonstrated that the new urban agenda remains not only relevant but essential.
Ten years after its adoption and at the midpoint of its implementation journey, we are reminded that the challenges facing our cities are becoming more complex, but so too must our ambition become stronger.
Through today's national statements and thematic panels, one message has been consistent housing must remain at the center of our urban policies and our political commitments.
At the same time, today's dialogue has strongly reaffirmed that the housing agenda cannot be separated from the climate agenda.
How we build, where we build, and how our cities grow will define not only urban prosperity, but also our climate future.
Housing is one of the most visible intersections between urban development and climate action.
Resilient housings communities from floods, heat waves, droughts, and rising sea levels.
Energy efficient buildings reduce emissions and support the transition to low carbon cities.
Compact urban planning, green mobility, and nature based solutions improve both environmental sustainability and quality of life.
This is why linking the urban and climate agendas is essential.
Alongside this, our discussions have also highlighted another issue that must receive greater global attention in the years ahead, healthy urban environment.
Healthy and sustainable urban living is not only an environmental concern.
It is a matter of public health, urban equity, and quality of life.
The way we design our cities, plan mobility, manage land use, and shape housing patterns directly affects how people live every day.
Sustainable urban development must therefore be recognized as an essential component of resilient cities and a stronger pillar of the new urban agenda for the next generation of urban policy discussions.
We have heard important perspectives from all regions on affordability, informal settlements, post conflict recovery, climate adaptation, urban regeneration, financing mechanisms, and inclusive planning.
We have also seen that while national contexts differ, the urgency of action is universal.
For Azerbijan hosting this dialogue has been especially meaningful.
Our own experience from the transformation of Greater Baku to the reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zang Azur has shown us that urban planning and housing policy are not only technical responsibilities, but strategic instruments for resilience, stability, and long term development.
Our goal is not simply reconstruction, but building a model for greener and more resilient urban development.
These are lessons we carry forward from our national experience, and we are honored to share them within this global platform.
WO 13 will leave important legacies beyond from the forum itself.
Alongside main initiatives and policy outcomes, operational Excellence is also a key dimension of efficiency efficiently organizing a World Urban Forum.
Recognizing the successful preparations for hosting Wolf 13 in Baku, we also see value in preserving and sharing this experience for future host countries.
Based on the Baku standards developed by the Wolf 13 Azerbigan operational Company, we intend to collaborate with UN Habitat to jointly prepare an informative operational guide for hosting future World urban forums.
Yesterday, we signed a letter of intent with UN Habitat, which further elevates the nature of our partnership and reflects shared commitment not only to the success of Both 13, but also to supporting the long term development of future world Urban forums.
Taking this opportunity, I warmly congratulate Mexico at the next host of the World Urban Forum.
We will be pleased to share Azerbijan's experience, lessons learned, and operational practices from Wolf 13 and to support a smooth and successful transition for the next forum.
Strengthening discontinuity between host countries is an important part of building a stronger and more effective Wolf legacy.
I would now like to proceed with reading out the initial chair summary of this ministerial meeting.
Chair summary of the ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda, certain session of the World Urban Forum, 17 May 2026, Baku, the Republic of Azerbijan.
Excellency, distinguished ministers, representatives of member states, colleagues from the United Nations systems, local and regional governments, civil society, academia and other partners.
It is my honor to offer a brief summary of the key issues raised during today's ministerial meeting on the new urban agenda.
Let me begin by expressing appreciation to all ministers, heads of delegations, panelists, and participants who contributed to today's discussions.
I also joined delegations in expressing appreciation to the government and people of Azerbijan for their warm hospitality and for the successful organization of W 13 in Baku, which has brought together more than 40,000 registered participants from 182 countries.
Maybe here I can add that if we will count and include all the people who were supporting and working for organization of this event, this number will be more than 50,000.
We also recognize the visionary leadership of His Ecellcy President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the efforts of UN Habitat Executive Director Anna Claudia Rosb in providing this important platform for international cooperation on adequate housing and sustainable urbanization.
Key overall message.
Today's meeting took place at an important moment.
2026 marks the midpoint of the new urban agenda, New Urban agenda's 20 year implementation horizon.
Ten years after its adoption in Quito at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, the new Urban agenda remains a vital framework for advancing adequate housing and inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements.
At the same time, today's discussions made clear that next decade of implementation must be one of the accelerated implementation, stronger partnerships and measurable progress.
A central message emerged through the day, housing is far more than just shelter.
It is a foundation for dignity, social inclusion, stability, peace, economic opportunity, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.
As reflected in the theme of W 13, housing the world, safe and resilient cities and communities, adequate housing is one of the clearest and most urgent entry points for delivering the new urban agenda in people's daily lives.
Highlights from the national statements.
During the morning session, ministers and heads of delegation shared national experiences from the first decade of implementation.
Many speakers highlighted progress in strengthening national policy, legal and planning frameworks for sustainable urbanization, including national development plans, housing policies, special planning laws, land policies, integrated territorial frameworks, SDG Allied strategies, and national reporting processes.
Several delegations also reported large scale housing programs, affordable housing finance measures, infrastructure investments, urban regeneration, informal settlements upgrading, land regularization, climate responsive planning, digital tools, and stronger local governance systems.
At the same time, the national statements underline the scale of the challenges that remain.
Speakers referred to rapid urbanization that continues to outplace planning, infrastructure, housing supply, and service delivery.
Housing affordability and shortages were identified as widespread concerns affecting low income households, middle income groups, youth, first time home buyers, informal workers, immigrants, displaced populations, and vulnerable communities.
Several statements also highlighted The persistence of slumps, insecure tenure, inadequate basic services, climate and disaster risks, financing constraints, data gaps, and an even institutional capacity.
A recurring message was that housing cannot be addressed in isolation.
Speakers emphasized the need to connect housing with land, infrastructure, transport, services, jobs, public space, climate action, and local economic development.
Many also called for more integrated and place based approaches, including support for secondary cities, smaller towns, urban and rural linkages, and balanced territorial development.
Several speakers highlighted the impact of wars, conflicts, and disasters on cities, housing, infrastructure, and basic services, as well as the displacement and humanitarian challenges that follow.
Delegations also referred to the importance of post conflict reconstruction and recovery.
They welcomed the post conflict reconstruction experience of Azerbijan, considering it worth replicating in similar context and expressed their solidarity with Azerbijan in this undertaking.
Several ministers welcomed the planned launch of the Smart Sustainable Settlements for Safe Return package or for SRP initiative at WOV 13 developed by Azerbijan in collaboration with UN Habitat, IOM, and the Baku Climate and Peace Hub.
The statements further stress that next decade must move from commitments to delivery at scale.
This will require stronger financing, project preparation, technical support, data systems, accountability, local government capacity, and practical tools for implementation, as well as stronger partnerships among governments, academia, civil society, communities, and the private sector.
Highlights from the three panel discussions.
The afternoon panels deepen this discussion through the lens of the three transformative commitments of the new urban agenda.
Panelists and participants emphasized that adequate housing must be understood through all three dimensions as a human right and foundation for inclusion, as economic infrastructure linked to jobs, services, and opportunity, and as a critical pathway for climate action, disaster risk reduction, and urban resilience.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of implementation, financing, multi level governance, community participation, and partnerships.
A fuller reflection of the panel discussions, including more detailed messages and recommendations will be incorporated in the updated chair summary to be presented later in this week.
Excellencies, colleagues.
Today's discussion reaffirmed that the new urban agenda remains not only relevant but indispensable.
The first decade of implementation has generated important experiences, lessons, and partnerships.
The second decade must now be defined by delivery at scale.
The messages emerging from this ministerial meeting will inform the wider deliberations of W 13, the Baku call to action, and preparations for the high level meeting of General Assembly on the midterm review of the new urban agenda happening on July 16 and 17 in New York.
As chair, I hear a clear call from today's meeting to use this midterm moment not only to take stock, but to renew political commitment, strengthen implementation, and place adequate housing at the center of sustainable urban development.
Let us carry this momentum forward from Baku to New York and from commitment to action as we work together to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by 2036.
Thank you.
I also sincerely thank all delegations, as well as all the panelists for their reach and substantive contributions to this ministerial meeting.
This summary will be further developed and presented at the closing ceremony of W 13 on Friday, 22 May as a legacy document from this forum and as a key contribution to the midterm review of the new urban agenda to be held in New York.
Excellencies.
Today's meeting was not an endpoint.
It was a breach.
The discussions have reaffirmed the importance of collective action and multilateral cooperation in advancing the new urban agenda.
I thank you once again for your participation and wish you a productive continuation of the World Urban Forum and a pleasant stay in Baku.
Thank you.
Thank you.