Joseph silali

Nairobi, 30 May 2025 – The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) presented today the theme of the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026.

1/ 3 The Baku Call to Action: Will it deliver real change or become another forgotten promise? WUF13 reframed housing as a human right, not just a commodity. Over 3.4B people live in inadequate housing.

Central Asia reactivates SPECA with a $3.5M push for trade, connectivity, and smart cities. In Almaty, the region placed cities at the center of economic integration with Azerbaijan, announcing a new SPECA Trust Fund to support connectivity, trade facilitation & urban resilience

Moderated by Gulshan Akhundova, the panel featured strong voices from: @SilaliJ (Kenya), @EzekielNyanfor1 (Liberia), @salemmayenan (Benin) and Zhala Rzazade (Azerbaijan). They tackled real urban challenges facing women, waste management, air pollution, health risks & noise.

Azerbaijan used #wuf13 media briefing to highlight its post-war reconstruction model & expanding global partnerships. Hikmat Hajiyev described recovery in liberated territories as a unique case study in post-conflict rebuilding, while pointing to deeper cooperation with Africa.

WUF13 Coverage Update | Baku, Azerbaijan Our media team in Baku delivered a real-time, high-level coverage of the 13th World Urban Forum. From ministerial dialogues and technical sessions to grassroots urban innovations and cultural narratives. #Wuf13 #ClimateAction #Baku

📍From Baku to Mexico City Today, during the Closing Ceremony of #WUF13, the World Urban Forum officially passed the torch from Azerbaijan to Mexico, announcing Mexico City as the host of #WUF14 in 2028.

At #WUF13 in Baku, a powerful side event spotlighted the vital role of women and youth in shaping sustainable urban futures. Hosted by @wdfpuaz at the Azerbaijan NGO Pavilion under the theme: “Women and Youth Role in Urban Climate Resilience.”

At #Wuf13. The 743 CE Shanghai Juma Mosque survived four major earthquakes thanks to a flexible construction technique that lets the building "move without breaking." After a 2010 renovation, it now welcomes everyone, free of charge, regardless of faith.

Alwaleed Philanthropies @alwaleed_philan , chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, participated in #WUF13 in Baku. The organization advanced critical discussions on inclusive housing, climate-resilient cities, and integrated solutions for the Arab region.

At the #WUF13 in Baku, Bogotá is presenting “Mi Casa en Bogotá,” a housing model that goes beyond the delivery of shelter. It links housing to jobs, transport, and urban regeneration, showing that housing policy can also be economic policy, spatial policy, and social policy.

The Future of Cities Partnership has been launched at #WUF13 in Baku, led by @UNHABITAT and the @UNSDSN . The initiative will convene mayors, universities, private sector, civil society and youth to address urban risks across three time horizons, 2030, 2050 and 2100.

Technology cannot build a community. Technology may scale transformation, but it cannot scale the trust required to build a community.” Nga Kor Ming, President of UN-Habitat Assembly at #WUF13 in Baku

The UN has broken ground for a major new conference facility in Nairobi, reinforcing Kenya’s position as Africa’s diplomatic capital. #UN #nairobi #abosafrica open.substack.com/pub/josephsila…

António Guterres says Nairobi is where “global challenges meet local solutions” as the UN moves to expand its Gigiri facilities to host up to 9,000 delegates. #UNGA #Africa #GlobalDiplomacy

Launch of Humanitarium Observatory Kenya open.substack.com/pub/josephsila…

Where your money sleeps matters.” Listeners are urged to rethink savings & investments: Divest from fossil fuels Support green finance Demand accountability #GreenFinance #EthicalInvestment open.substack.com/pub/josephsila…

Climate Resilience Is Humanitarian Justice: Notes from the Launch of the Humanitarian Observatory Kenya The launch of the Humanitarian Observatory Kenya in Nairobi wasn’t just another event on the climate calendar—it was a clear stat substack.com/profile/282436…

As faith actors, we remain an undeniable voice in advocacy. We continue to join hands with CSOs, organizations, movements, and individuals of goodwill to champion meaningful change in our society.

“Without a safe home, there is no health, no education, no stable employment.” At #WUF13, UN-Habitat brings together partners including The Gere Foundation, through HOGAR SÍ, to place homelessness at the heart of the global agenda. youtu.be/OUgxcGAdqFY @WUF_UNHabitat

A new global partnership is set to push the issue of homelessness to the center of international urban policy discussions ahead of the upcoming World Urban Forum 13 in Baku open.substack.com/pub/josephsila…