WUF12 makes history: record attendance and a call to action for cities
The twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) concluded with a record-breaking attendance of over 25,000 participants from 182 countries. Speakers, panelists, and attendees from diverse backgrounds explored the multifaceted dimensions of this year’s theme, “It All Starts at Home,” and reflected on its significance across various sectors. The closing ceremony saw the unveiling of the Cairo Call to Action, a document encapsulating key messages and ideas from the discussions. Egypt officially passed the baton to Azerbaijan, host of WUF13, marking a momentous transition. UN-Habitat has now opened the call for expressions of interest to host the World Urban Forum 14 (WUF14) in 2028, with applications due by 15 April 2025.
World Habitat Day trends in Mexico
Over 1,600 participants, including local youth and students, joined the Global Observance of World Habitat Day in Querétaro, Mexico, on 7 October, under the theme “Engaging youth to create a better urban future.” The event attracted representatives from 288 cities across 88 countries, with over 1,000 online viewers. #DíaMundialdelHábitat trended as the 11th most popular social media topic in Mexico, reaching 24.3 million people. A highlight of the observance was the celebration of five Scroll of Honour winners—David Satterthwaite (UK), Allen Kong (Australia), Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (Malaysia), Alcaldía de Santiago de Cali (Colombia), and Ville de Rabat (Morocco)—for their outstanding contributions to sustainable urban development.
World Cities Day 2024: Youth climate changemakers catalysing local action for urban sustainability
Alexandria hosted World Cities Day 2024 highlighting the theme "Youth climate changemakers: Catalysing local action for urban sustainability." The event celebrated youth-led climate initiatives and featured global messages, including from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing cities' role in tackling the climate crisis. UN-Habitat, UNOPS, and Cities Alliance launched a social media campaign to amplify young African climate leaders' stories. Highlights included youth-led panels, the Shanghai Manual 2024 launch, and the Executive Director of UN-Habitat awarding a certificate of recognition to Alexandria for it’s urban climate efforts. The day concluded with a call to invest in resilient urban infrastructure, paving the way for WUF in Cairo.
The promise of adequate housing: A human right we must uphold
Adequate housing is more than just shelter. It is the foundation of dignity, security, and opportunity. Yet, for billions of people, this human right remains a broken promise. Globally, 2.8 billion people experience some form of housing inadequacy, 1.1 billion people live in informal settlements and at least 318 million are homeless. Rapid urbanization, especially in developing regions, has overwhelmed infrastructure and housing systems, leaving many communities vulnerable and often prone to climate disasters.
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In Jordan, youth step up to tackle climate change
10th graders Nazek Amin, Esraa Jaradat, and Rimas Al-Khalidi from Bushra, Jordan, uncovered a surprising link between climate change and rising dog bite incidents. Their innovative project won a national competition, spotlighting Bushra’s climate challenges and inspiring hope for environmental action in their community.
Empowering youth voices: The right to the city in Brazil's informal settlements
In Maceió’s Vila Emater II, Antônio Givaldo, an 18-year-old artist and LGBTQ+ advocate, embodies resilience and transformation. Through UN-Habitat’s Digaê programme, he embraced the "right to the city," using art and storytelling to inspire change in his community and pursue a brighter future.
Financial Highlights
Upcoming Events and Meetings
Fourth Forum of Mayors
20 – 24 January 2025
Davos, Switzerland
The Third Arab Land Conference
18 - 20 February 2025
Rabat, Morocco
Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development
25 - 28 February 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Resumed Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly
29 – 30 May 2025
Nairobi, Kenya