ONE UN - Delivering SDG 11 through Housing - Supporting National and Local Action in the UNECE Region (WUF13).

The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.


This event will highlight how sustainable housing policies and tools can accelerate progress towards SDG 11 in the UNECE region, focusing on countries in Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia. It will demonstrate how evidence-based policy instruments and locally grounded solutions can translate the 2030 Agenda into concrete action to tackle the housing crisis at national and subnational levels. The event will showcase the UNECE Country Profiles on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management, a flagship product of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management. Speakers will introduce the Country Profile methodology, highlight recently prepared profiles and share how this tool has supported national and local governments in diagnosing housing challenges, strengthening governance frameworks and guiding reforms and implementation in line with SDG 11. The session will also explain the participatory and analytical process behind developing a Country Profile, emphasizing its value as a practical instrument for policymakers. This national-level discussion will be anchored in the outcomes of the 2025 UNECE Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability, where ministers adopted commitments to scale up affordable, inclusive and sustainable housing policies, strengthen multilevel governance and improve data and financing frameworks to address housing affordability challenges. Follow-up national housing action plans for specific countries will also be presented. At the local level, the event will spotlight housing solutions emerging from cities engaged in the UN Forum of Mayors, with a focus on the Forum's housing discussions in 2025. The Forum's Chair and other city representatives will present concrete good practices addressing affordability, access to adequate housing and inclusive urban development. These experiences will illustrate how local action contributes directly to SDG 11 while supporting other SDGs, including social inclusion and economic resilience. It will conclude with a forward-looking discussion on the upcoming UN Forum of Mayors' meeting (12-13 October 2026), outlining housing as a core thematic focus under SDG 11 and inviting continued engagement from national and local stakeholders. Overall, the event aims to equip participants with actionable tools, proven policy solutions, and practical insights to advance sustainable housing and urban development across the UNECE region.

Facilitators:Maike Salize
Javier Torner

Partner:
UNECE - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Switzerland)
Legalization of Illegal Structures Administration
Geneva UN Charter Centre of Excellence on Smart Sustainable Cities and Sustainable Urban Development

Panelists:
Ms. Doris Andoni, Housing Expert, former Director of Housing, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Independent Expert (Albania)
Ms. Radmila Lainovic, Acting Director, Legalization of Illegal Structures Administration (Montenegro)
Mr. Alexandre Hedjazi, Senior Lecturer and Chair, Geneva UN Charter Centre of Excellence on Smart Sustainable Cities and Sustainable Urban Development (Switzerland)
Mr. Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNECE - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Switzerland)
Mr. David Perejil, Director General of the 2030 Agenda, Ministry of Social Rights Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda (Spain)

ONE UN - Delivering SDG 11 through Housing - Supporting National and Local Action in the UNECE Region (WUF13)


Conferences
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

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