UN-Habitat Arena - Our Collective Efforts on the New Urban Agenda for the next 10 years (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.

Join a bold call to action—where reflection becomes collective action for the next decade of the New Urban Agenda.

This session at the UN-Habitat Arena during the World Urban Forum 13 convenes national and local governments, regional bodies, development partners, academia, women, youth, and other key stakeholders to take stock of a decade of implementing the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and to chart the way forward for the next 10 years. Building on the momentum of the upcoming 2026 reporting cycle, the discussion will reflect on experiences with NUA implementation, monitoring, and reporting, with particular attention to lessons learned, best practices, and persistent challenges across different contexts.

The session will explore how National Progress Reports (NPRs) have supported countries in assessing progress and identifying gaps, while also examining how these processes can be strengthened and made more inclusive, especially for women and youth. Panelists will share insights on the impacts of NUA implementation in their respective spheres, highlighting where expectations have been met and where further collective effort is needed. The role of academia and development partners in generating evidence, supporting innovation, and sustaining engagement will also be discussed.

By fostering open dialogue and exchange, the session aims to enhance understanding of the NUA and its 2026 reporting process, encourage timely submission of NPRs for the 2026-2030 cycle, and reinforce a shared commitment to collective action. Ultimately, it seeks to position the NUA as a living framework that continues to guide inclusive, sustainable urban development worldwide over the coming decade.

Speakers:

1. Member States: Morocco (TBC)
2. Development Partners: Ole Stubdrup, Senior Advisor, Urban Development and Infrastructure/The African Development Bank Group/ Denmark
3. Academia: Lara Kinneir/Head of Creative Innovation Practice at Policy Lab UK/ UK (TBC)
4. Civil Society: Lajana Manandhar, Secretary General of the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights/ Nepal
5. Youth: Zeina ElZein, UN-Habitat Youth Advisor and Assistant Professor in Architecture and Urban Design, Helwan University/Egypt

Related Sites and Documents: World Urban Forum Website & Programme.

Watch the UN-Habitat Arena - Our Collective Efforts on the New Urban Agenda for the next 10 years (WUF13)!

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