UN-Habitat Egypt, ROAS Hold Regional Media Briefing Ahead of WUF13 in Baku

The UN-Habitat Egypt Country Office, in coordination with the UN-Habitat Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS), has convened its first regional virtual press briefing ahead of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026.

The online briefing brought together journalists and correspondents from Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Iraq and other Arab states to receive updates on preparations for the global urban gathering, which will be held under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”

The event builds on the momentum of WUF12, which was hosted in Cairo in November 2024 and drew more than 25,000 participants from 182 countries.

Senior government officials from Egypt and Azerbaijan participated in the session, outlining their countries’ engagement in the upcoming forum.

Ambassador Hosam AlKaweesh, Egypt’s Assistant Minister of Local Development for International Cooperation, said WUF12 strengthened the role of local governments in advancing sustainable urban development and deepening international cooperation. He noted that Egypt is preparing to actively contribute to WUF13 through dedicated events and knowledge exchange initiatives, sharing national experiences and fostering new partnerships.

In turn, Ambassador Elkhan Polukhov highlighted Azerbaijan’s preparations to host WUF13, reaffirming his country’s commitment to organizing an inclusive and action-oriented forum that responds to global urban challenges.

UAhmed Rezk, UN-Hab7itat Egypt Country Representative, stressed the continuity between the Cairo and Baku sessions. He said Egypt aims to sustain engagement through initiatives such as its Urban Week, designed to broaden national participation and connect local activities to the global discussions leading up to WUF13.

Rania Hedeya, UN-Habitat Regional Director for Arab States, emphasized the growing centrality of housing and urban development in the region’s policy agenda.

“Urban development is no longer a sectoral issue. It is central to stability, inclusion, resilience, and human dignity,” she said, underscoring that adequate housing is fundamental not only as shelter but as a cornerstone for health, education, livelihoods and social cohesion.

In a recorded message, Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, described WUF13 as a pivotal moment for the global urban agenda, noting that the forum will place housing at the center of international discussions as both a human right and a driver of inclusive, climate- and crisis-responsive development.

Organizers said WUF13 will mark the midpoint in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and is expected to bring together ministers, governors, mayors, policymakers, civil society representatives, private sector leaders and UN agencies. The forum will feature more than 300 events and conclude with the Baku Call to Action aimed at accelerating progress toward adequate housing and sustainable urban development worldwide.

As preparations advance toward May 2026, UN-Habitat officials said they remain focused on fostering dialogue, strengthening partnerships and promoting knowledge exchange across the Arab region in the lead-up to the Baku forum.