WUF13 marks largest UN urban forum to date, KPMG official says

The 13th edition of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) is the largest gathering of its kind to date, underscoring the growing global focus on sustainable urban development, according to a senior KPMG executive.

Jonathan Williams, partner at KPMG and Head of Global Cities Practice with responsibility for portfolio development in South Africa, told AZERTAC that the forum provides a key platform for international dialogue on the future of sustainable cities.

He said initiatives such as roundtable discussions and the newly introduced Business and Innovation Hub are helping to build an integrated ecosystem aimed at driving urban transformation.

Williams noted that persistent challenges remain, particularly housing shortages and homelessness, which continue to place a strain on urban systems worldwide. He stressed that effective housing policy is central to sustainable city development and must be closely linked with employment opportunities and broader social infrastructure.

He also pointed to rapid urbanisation in Southern Africa, saying it is intensifying pressure on financial resources while amplifying tensions between sustainability goals and population growth.

According to Williams, WUF13 is fostering stronger cooperation between governments, the private sector and international institutions. He expressed hope that the forum’s outcomes will contribute to more structured frameworks for advancing sustainable urban development globally.