WUF13 highlights housing’s role in advancing sustainable development at World Social Summit
Through an interactive booth, WUF13 engaged delegates in conversations about the importance of adequate housing for achieving social inclusion, economic opportunity and resilience. Visitors were invited to share their visions for a world where everyone has a safe home by writing on sticky notes and pinning them to a world map — symbolizing shared commitment and collective action toward sustainable urbanization.
The booth was inaugurated by UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach and Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture (SCUPA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and WUF13 National Coordinator, reflecting the strong partnership between UN-Habitat and the host country.
Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach emphasized that “when we secure adequate housing for all, we nurture the conditions where every other goal can flourish.” She noted that the ideas shared at the Summit will feed into upcoming global milestones, including the World Urban Forum in May 2026.
On the second day of the Summit, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov visited the booth, lending high-level support and personally inviting participants to join the global conversation at WUF13 in Baku.
The Doha Political Declaration, adopted by Member States at WSSD2, recognized adequate, safe and affordable housing as essential to an adequate standard of living – a message that will resonate strongly at WUF13, where governments, communities and partners will come together to share solutions and drive action for inclusive, resilient urban futures.