World leaders, urban planners, environmentalists, and international organizations have gathered at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku to issue a decisive global mandate: the “Baku Call to Action.” Faced with unprecedented rates of rapid urbanization, housing deficits, and escalating climate risks, the global declaration aims to transform vulnerable urban centers into safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient habitats.
According to UN-Habitat, the final draft of the “Baku Call to Action” is being compiled from recommendations across more than 400 separate sessions. The official document is scheduled to be unveiled during the forum's closing ceremony on May 22.
This year's central theme, “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” addresses critical structural challenges:
The Housing Deficit: Experts at the forum highlighted that nearly 3 billion people worldwide still lack access to safe and adequate housing—a crisis intensified by climate migration.
Climate Adaptation: Global delegations are focusing on practical blueprints to counter urban flooding, extreme heatwaves, and carbon emissions.
The Urban Expo: Running alongside the summit, the exhibition features over 217 organizations from 66 nations, making it the largest urban expo in WUF history.
Critical Implications for Bangladesh
The "Baku Call to Action" holds immense strategic importance for Bangladesh, a nation uniquely vulnerable to climate-induced internal migration.
"River erosion, rising sea levels, and coastal disasters are forcing thousands of citizens to migrate to major urban centers daily," noted an environmental delegate.
Consequently, megacities like Dhaka are facing severe strains, leading to:
The rapid expansion of informal settlements (slums).
Chronic waterlogging and poor drainage management.
Severe air pollution and an acute shortage of affordable housing.
Urban policy experts warn that Bangladesh must immediately align its national strategies with the Baku mandate. Immediate priorities include investing in green urban planning, preserving natural water reservoirs, modernizing public transit networks, and enacting sustainable, eco-friendly housing policies to avert a catastrophic future urban crisis.
Ultimately, the “Baku Call to Action” serves as an urgent wake-up call for nations to future-proof their cities in the era of climate change.
