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 national legislation turn global housing commitments into real outcomes? Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing governments at national, regional, and local levels today. Rising housing costs, chronic supply shortages, and growing informal settlements are reshaping urban demographics, fueling social tensions, and constraining economic mobility. In developing countries, rapid urbanization, climate-related hazards, and inadequate infrastructure intensify these challenges, driving the expansion of informal settlements and heightening social tensions. These pressures generate political and economic demands for reform, placing urban law and regulatory frameworks at the center of national development priorities. Parliamentarians play a pivotal role in shaping the legislative, policy, and financial frameworks that determine access to adequate housing, land, and basic services. Through law-making, budget approval, oversight, and representation functions, they can advance reforms that expand housing access, regularize informal settlements, strengthen resilience to climate risks, and promote inclusive, equitable and sustainable cities. The Parliamentarians Roundtable at WUF13 will provide a high-level platform for exchange, showcase legislative innovations, and catalyze parliamentary action aligned with global commitments, including the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11. Guiding questions How can parliaments turn global urban commitments into enforceable national housing laws? What parliamentary actions are needed to unlock sustainable financing for housing on a scale? How can parliaments ensure that urban commitments translate into real housing outcomes on the ground? How can parliamentary action ensure that housing policies advance both climate resilience and sustainable urban development? Expected outcomes Enhanced peer-to-peer learning among parliamentarians on legislative, policy and oversight approaches to advancing adequate housing, land governance, climate resilience and inclusive urban development. Strengthened parliamentary engagement in shaping national policy and legislative frameworks supporting implementation of the New Urban Agenda, SDG 11 and the outcomes of the Open-Ended Working Group on Adequate Housing for All. Greater recognition of the role of parliaments in enabling financing, accountability and inclusive governance for housing and sustainable urban development. Strengthened collaboration between UN-Habitat, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and parliamentary networks. Parliamentary recommendations aligned with the WUF13 theme reflected in the Baku Call to Action. Objectives To facilitate dialogue among parliamentarians on legislative and policy reforms needed to scale up adequate housing and urban resilience, particularly in the context of climate change. To highlight parliamentary roles in enabling financing, land governance, and inclusive service delivery. To generate parliamentary recommendations and commitments aligned with the WUF13 theme for inclusion in the Baku Call to Action. To promote follow-up parliamentary actions to translate WUF13 outcomes into national legislation, policies, and budgets.
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