Baku to host 13th World Urban Forum to tackle global housing crisis affecting 2.8 billion people

Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Sultan Hajiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kenya and Representative of Azerbaijan to UN-Habitat during the media briefing of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) at Baku Olympic Stadium from 17–22 May 2026./HANDOUT

The Republic of Azerbaijan will host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) at Baku Olympic Stadium from 17–22 May 2026, bringing together thousands of global leaders, policymakers, urban planners, private sector representatives, academics, civil society, and UN agencies to address one of the world’s most pressing challenges: the global housing crisis.

Under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” the six-day forum will focus on accelerating the provision of quality, affordable, and climate-resilient housing.

The event will feature the Urban Expo, where countries, cities, businesses, and organisations will showcase innovative solutions for sustainable urban living.

Convened by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Government of Azerbaijan, WUF13 will explore how cities can lead in delivering inclusive and resilient housing solutions.

Housing is a fundamental human right, yet shortages of adequate homes affect both vulnerable populations and the middle class. Climate change, conflict, and humanitarian emergencies are intensifying the crisis, making urgent action critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11, which calls for safe and resilient cities for all.

The scale of the problem is staggering. According to UN-Habitat, 2.8 billion people face housing inadequacy worldwide, including 1.1 billion living in slums or informal settlements and more than 300 million homeless. By 2050, 68 percent of the global population will reside in cities, and 96,000 new affordable housing units are needed daily to meet projected demand. Climate disasters could also destroy an estimated 167 million homes by 2040.

“Housing is not just a policy goal; it is a human right and a cornerstone of development, essential for resilient, thriving communities,” said H.E. Sultan Hajiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kenya and Representative of Azerbaijan to UN-Habitat.

He added that hosting WUF13 will allow leaders and innovators to accelerate solutions to the housing crisis.

The forum will feature high-level dialogues on the housing crisis, slum transformation, urban recovery, the climate-housing nexus, housing finance, and economic impacts.

Participants will also visit the Practices Hub, showcasing tested solutions from cities worldwide, and take part in media briefings and interviews with prominent speakers.

The event will culminate in the Baku Call to Action, a united statement aimed at accelerating housing solutions globally.

Baku, with its blend of rich cultural heritage and modern urban development, was chosen as the host city for its transformation into a smart, sustainable, and climate-resilient urban center—a vision mirrored by WUF13.

Established in 2001 by the UN, the World Urban Forum is the leading global conference on sustainable urbanisation.

Its first session was held in Nairobi in 2002. UN-Habitat continues to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities in more than 90 countries, supporting policymakers and communities with knowledge, guidance, and collaborative action.