Latin American cities press for unified housing push at WUF13

The Latin American local government network Mercociudades has outlined its position on the New Urban Agenda ahead of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum 13, emphasising stronger coordination between regional platforms and faster delivery of housing solutions.

Speaking at a forum of housing and urban development ministers and senior officials from Latin America and the Caribbean under MINURVI, Mercociudades Executive Secretary Lautaro Lorenzo said the network had encouraged member cities to develop a shared position on the future urban agenda, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

He noted that the next MINURVI assembly is scheduled to take place in Canelones in December 2026, adding that the event would be a key opportunity to strengthen cooperation between MINURVI and Mercociudades, following what he described as a previous gathering of around 500 local authorities from across the region.

Lorenzo said the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan provided an important opportunity to advance discussions on urban policy, particularly on accelerating housing solutions across Latin America, where he said cities already had significant practical experience to offer.

“We have called on our cities to formulate a position on the new urban agenda, as well as on accelerating housing solutions, as Latin America has rich, concrete experience in this area,” he said, adding that cities could help identify barriers and speed up implementation.

He also recalled that the 34th MINURVI General Assembly was held in Bridgetown, Barbados, last year.

By Aghakazim Guliyev