WRI Ross Center at World Urban Forum 13
The Thirteen Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), convened by UN-Habitat, will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17-22, 2026. Centered on the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” WUF13 will shine a global spotlight on the urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development.
WRI Ross Center experts will be leading or taking part in events covering the integration of housing and climate policy, financing resilient cites, safe spaces for children and more. The Thirteen Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), convened by UN-Habitat, will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17-22, 2026. Centered on the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” WUF13 will shine a global spotlight on the urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development.
WRI Ross Center experts will be leading or taking part in events covering the integration of housing and climate policy, financing resilient cites, safe spaces for children and more.
Tuesday, May 19
Integrating Housing and Climate Agendas – Perspectives from Brazil and the Global South
- Time: 14:00-15:30
- Location: Multipurpose Room 11
- An in-person networking event, this event will feature a presentation of the Re.Habita initiative, launch the English version of its "letter of principles," and will feature presentations by the government of Morocco about its housing challenges and by Brazil’s Secretary of Peripheries about Periferia Viva and Periferia Sem Risco programs.
- Convenors: TETO Brasil, UN-Habitat Brasil, WRI Brasil
- WRI contact: Isadora Freire, Laura Azeredo
Climate Finance Goes Urban: Financing the Transition to Resilient Cities
- Time: 16:00-17:30
- Location: Multipurpose Room 16
- This networking session will explore how international climate policy and finance reforms can unlock city-ready mechanisms for climate-resilient urban infrastructure and a just urban transition, bringing together representatives from finance, development cooperation, climate policy, national planning and research. Pablo Lazo, Global Director, Urban Development, WRI Ross Center, will join virtually for a panel discussion, fishbowl dialogue, and themed networking tables. Session findings will feed into a position paper on how COP and MDB reform can finally channel finance to cities at the scale where it's most urgently needed.
- Convenors: Gap Fund, UNU-EHS, BMZ, IIED, Bappenas, WRI
- WRI contact: Pablo Lazo
Wednesday, May 20
Guide to Creating Urban Public Spaces for Children
- Time: 12:00-13:00
- Location: Urban Library – Room A
- This session will mark the in-person launch of SPACES: A Guide for Children-Friendly Public Spaces, a landmark WHO, UNICEF, and UN-Habitat publication introducing a six-principle framework to help practitioners embed child-friendly design into climate and housing strategies. Sudeshna Chatterjee, Program Director for Sustainable Cities and Transport, WRI India, will join virtually to speak as a contribution and practitioner. As rapid urbanization continues to erode children's access to safe play, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the guide provides evidence-based tools across planned, informal, and crisis settings to make inclusive public space a reality.
- Convenors: WHO, UN-Habitat, UNICEF
- WRI contact: Sudeshna Chatterjee
Green Affordable Housing at Speed and Scale - Delivering Decarbonized, Resilient and Locally Sourced Homes
- Time: 14:00-15:30
- Location: SDGs in Action – Room A
- This session examines how low-carbon materials, modular construction and innovative financing can deliver affordable, climate-resilient housing at scale without worsening environmental or social inequities — offering actionable guidance for governments, planners, developers and financiers. , Built Environment Global Lead, WRI Ross Center, will speak alongside representatives from UN-Habitat, WRI, BuildChange, ADA University, the Azerbaijan Green Building Council, and Nairobi City Council, sharing project examples and replicable pathways that align climate action with housing affordability in support of SDG 11.1.
- Convenors: EBRD, AzGBC, WRI
- WRI contact: Roxana Slavcheva
Thursday, May 21
Building Low-Carbon Housing - From National Policy to Local Action
- Time: 12:00-13:30
- Location: ONE UN Room C
- This session will examine how multilevel governance approaches and international partnerships — including programs like CHAMP and the Zero Emission and Resilient Buildings (ZERB) Accelerator — are helping countries and cities deliver low-carbon, climate-resilient housing while maintaining affordability. Roxana Slavcheva, Built Environment Global Lead, WRI Ross Center, will join virtually as part of a broader coalition of partners including with national and local leaders from Armenia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Kenya, and Uzbekistan.
- Convenors: UNEP, UN-Habitat, UNECE, WRI
- WRI contact: Roxana Slavcheva
Friday, May 22
Land Governance and Land-based Solutions for Housing and the ‘State of African Cities Report 2026’
- Time: 11:15-12:15
- Location: UN-Habitat Arena
- This session explores how innovative land governance tools — including fit-for-purpose land administration, participatory land readjustment and land value capture mechanisms — can unlock affordable, inclusive housing and drive the transformation of informal settlements in rapidly urbanizing contexts. Drawing on practical case studies and the launch of the State of African Cities Report 2026, it aims to generate actionable policy insights for governments and practitioners seeking people-centered, rights-based housing solutions.
- Convenors: Global Land Tool Network Partners, Kadaster, SDI, Huairou Commission, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Development Workshop, Habitat for Humanity
- WRI contact: Hellen Wanjohi-Opil
Image: UN-Habitat
Projects
REHOUSE (Resilient, Equitable Housing, Opportunities and Urban Services)
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectAccelerating progress towards more equitable and climate-smart cities through resilient and affordable housing and basic services in informal settlements.
Part of Cities
Upgrading Informal Settlements in Brazil’s Urban Periphery
Visit ProjectAdvancing inclusive and integrated urban development in Brazilian cities through the Periferia Viva initiative
Part of Cities
Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action
Visit ProjectHelping countries deliver more ambitious climate action by supporting enhanced collaboration with subnational governments through multilevel partnerships
Part of Cities
Zero Emission & Resilient Buildings (ZERB) Accelerator
Visit ProjectEnabling collaboration between national and subnational governments to accelerate decarbonization and resilience of the buildings and construction sector.
Part of Cities
