“Global change must start from the ground up” – Bringing the Discussion Closer to Home at the World Urban Forum 12
In an exclusive interview with URBANET, Executive Director of UN-Habitat Anacláudia Rossbach shares highlights of this year’s World Urban Forum and why accelerating localisation of the SDGs lies at the heart of the conference.
Urbanet: Miss Rossbach, what is the World Urban Forum (WUF) about?
Anacláudia Rossbach: The World Urban Forum (WUF) is one of the largest UN conferences on sustainable urban development and a stakeholder engagement platform. It was established in 2001 by the United Nations to address one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change, and policies.
What is its goal?
WUF is critical for UN-Habitat to collect information on cases and trends, to build partnerships and coalitions that enable our mandate. It is the place for stakeholder engagement and the place to listen, learn, share knowledge, and build critical mass. I see WUF as a big coalition in support of transformative change, needed to overcome the global housing crisis and give an urban contribution to the major crises we face, such as climate, conflicts, and poverty. Its goal is to promote collaboration and cooperation between diverse stakeholders and constituencies engaged in advancing and implementing sustainable urban development.
This year’s theme is “It all starts at home: Local actions for sustainable cities and communities.” What does this mean?
The theme of the World Urban Forum emphasises that solutions must begin where people live, work, and build their lives. By focusing on housing and local actions, we acknowledge the global housing crisis, compounded by climate change and growing inequalities. Global change must start from the ground up.
At the heart of WUF12 lies the goal of accelerating the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing the New Urban Agenda with housing at the center. With less than five years to 2030, we are in the final phase of SDG implementation. However, half of the 17 Goals show minimal progress on targets, and one-third are stalled or moving in reverse.
By bringing the discussion closer to home and focusing on local actions, we aim to translate global goals into tangible improvements in people’s lives. WUF12 will serve as a platform to discuss and learn from successful local initiatives, ensuring that progress made in one city can inspire and inform similar efforts elsewhere. It is a great platform for knowledge and experience sharing.
Can you name examples of these local actions needed for sustainable cities and communities?
Cities can embrace several local actions to drive sustainability and urban resilience. For example, green infrastructure and urban planning focused on the people and the planet, where land fulfils its ecological and social functions, foreseen in the New Urban Agenda. Cities can develop green spaces, parks, and urban forests, which help mitigate the heat island effect, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity. Urban planning should prioritise compact designs to reduce sprawl, increase walkability, and lower emissions. But equally important, urban planning should address social needs, solidify systems of care and be oriented to the needs and aspirations of women and girls.
In addition, cities can develop affordable housing projects with energy-efficient designs, sustainable materials, and low carbon footprints to reduce the environmental impact of housing. At the same time, we should be looking at housing solutions for low-income and marginalised groups, for instance, by transforming informal settlements.
Financing Adequate and Affordable Housing
Moreover, efficient public transportation and alternative mobility can reduce traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide equitable access to jobs, services, and education.
Last but not least, local governments can create disaster preparedness plans that include climate resilience measures such as flood defenses, sustainable drainage systems, and early warning systems, especially in regions vulnerable to climate risks.
So what does the WUF12’s programme entail?
Our programme for WUF12 is designed to reflect this focus on actionable solutions. We have curated 37 main events, including a special session led by the Government of Egypt, and over 550 partner-led events. This programme allows us to dive deep into the complexities of urban development, ensuring that every participant – whether they are a policymaker, a community leader, academia or a young activist – finds the insights and networks they need.
One of the highlights will be the WUF12 Dialogues. These are high-profile discussions that set the agenda for future policy and action. Each of the six dialogues explores critical issues through the lens of “home” and localisation, beginning and ending with housing. Housing is not just a building or a place; it is the foundation of safety, stability, and opportunity. By framing our dialogues this way, we ensure that the discussions remain rooted in the realities faced by millions around the world.
Is there a personal highlight you are looking forward to?
I am particularly looking forward to the ministerial roundtable that will bring together ministers and senior representatives of national governments and regional political bodies to elevate the debate on multilevel governance. The goal is to accelerate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other global agendas.
Another interesting session will be with global and regional development banks, focused on financing adequate and affordable housing. We are witnessing a deepening global housing crisis – more than 2.8 billion people worldwide experience some form of housing inadequacy, which urgently need appropriate solutions to address them. In addition, the session on data will pursue the creation of a greater coalition on data, knowledge and research to address urbanisation challenges.
A personal highlight for me will be meeting the former Executive Directors of UN-Habitat, Anna Tibaijuka, Dr. Joan Clos, and Maimunah Mohd Sharif, in a special conversation. I believe it will be fascinating to reflect on the mandate of UN-Habitat, how it has evolved, and what we need to focus on to drive meaningful change and achieve impact.
What are the outcomes you hope for after the event?
Our big focus will be on establishing partnerships and coalitions to advance sustainable urban development, SDGs and the New Urban Agenda.
However, WUF12 wants to be more than an event held on conference premises. We aim to connect with our host country and the communities that shape it. To highlight Egypt’s rich urban culture, we are launching Cairo Urban Week one week before the Forum. This week will be filled with activities – urban exhibitions, city walks, and public talks – designed to engage residents and visitors alike. It aims to create a sense of celebration around urban life, turning the entire city into a living exhibition of sustainable urbanism.
WUF12 also wants to lead by example and show how local action turns into reality. We are working with the Governor of Cairo and local partners to revitalise a public space in a low-income neighbourhood of Cairo, Al Asmarat. This initiative is a tangible demonstration of our belief that every city, every community, and every resident has a role to play in building a bet-ter future.
What are the next steps or milestones that need to be achieved?
Our next milestone will be the third ministerial meeting on urbanisation and climate change at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. UN-Habitat will bring together key stakeholders, including ministers of housing and urban development, ministers of environment, and ministers of finance, as well as relevant non-governmental actors and local leaders. We will present the key takeaways from the dialogue on climate change and cities at WUF12 and discuss ways to align subnational and national efforts to meet the Paris Agreement goals and SDGs. Finally, WUF12 and COP29 results will feed into the discussions and deliberations within the UN Habitat governance structure.
