Annalena Baerbock: WUF13 is being held at an important time

Affordable, safe, and decent housing is a fundamental human right.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to Report, this was stated by the President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock in a video address at the opening ceremony of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

She noted that more than 1.1 billion people worldwide still live in informal settlements or slums.

"The consequences of this are not limited to safety issues alone. In the absence of safe housing conditions, health deteriorates, the educational process is disrupted, and risks increase. Inequality deepens, and communities become more vulnerable to climate shocks and crises."

She stated that WUF13 is being held during an important period:

"The Forum, on the one hand, draws attention to the housing crisis, and on the other, creates opportunities for implementing measures in the field of sustainable urban development. Holding this event only reinforces the responsibility placed upon us. There is no simple solution to a crisis of this scale. More residential buildings need to be constructed," she emphasized.