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.
How can multilevel governance empower local action to deliver housing for all? Cities and territories are at the frontline of interlinked housing, climate, and inequality challenges, with impacts most acute in informal settlements and for less represented communities. As the housing crisis intensifies globally, the need for localized and scalable solutions is urgent. Addressing the crisis means moving beyond project-based interventions toward systemic territorial transformation anchored on localization and placing Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) at the center. As the level of government closest to communities, the play a critical role in translating global commitments into tangible outcomes through integrated planning, service delivery, and political leadership. Yet their effectiveness is often constrained by structural limitations within multilevel governance and financing systems. Co-organized by Global Taskforce, UN-Habitat, and the UN Local2030 Coalition, this roundtable provides a space to elevate LRG perspectives within global housing debates under the WUF13 theme. Anchored in Local2030-led Road to Baku: The Local Way engagement process, the session will articulate local priorities, showcase scalable practices, and identify enabling conditions for inclusive planning, coordinated financing, and effective multilevel governance. The deliberations aim to produce actionable policy recommendations, highlight transferable solutions, and inform WUF13 outcomes, strengthening the political voice of LRGs and their contributions to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, SDG localization, and systemic territorial transformation. Guiding questions How are local and regional governments advancing the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the SDGs through housing, land governance, and public service provision? What mechanisms and policy frameworks are needed to strengthen cooperation between local, regional, and national governments for adequate housing, land management and public service provision, and to ensure balanced and inclusive urbanization? What lessons can be drawn from successful examples of multilevel coordination in implementing housing and land policies? How can partnerships between LRGs, civil society, academia, the private sector, Member States and the UN system be strengthened to advance the localization of the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda? Expected outcomes Stronger recognition of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) as central political actors in multilateralism and sustainable urban development within WUF13 outcomes. Agreed LRG priorities for adequate housing informing the WUF13 Call to Action. Enhanced multilevel governance and strengthened partnerships across sectors and levels. Documented scalable solutions for housing, urbanization, and SDG localization. Objectives Highlight the central role of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) in delivering adequate housing, land management, public services, resilience, and participatory governance. Strengthen multilevel governance and multistakeholder engagement by fostering dialogue and cooperation across levels of government and stakeholders. Advance localization of the SDGs and transformative change, building on the Road to Baku: The Local Way consultations and workshops. Showcase scalable local, metropolitan, and regional best practices that can be adapted across contexts. Identify the capacities and enabling conditions—including finance, data, and policy alignment—needed for LRGs to deliver integrated sustainable development and inform WUF13 outcomes.
