WUF13: UN-Habitat calls for shift from humanitarian aid to long-term development

Shifting global priorities from short-term humanitarian assistance to sustainable long-term development remains a key objective for the United Nations, Executive Director of UN-Habitat Anacláudia Rossbach said during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

Speaking during a panel discussion titled “From Global Housing Finance to Local Action on Affordable Housing: Leveraging Global Development Finance and Subnational Financing," she also highlighted ongoing initiatives in Africa as examples of practical cooperation, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“I call on the international community to place the sustainable development agenda at the centre of its priorities. Cuts in humanitarian financing have exposed the systemic failure of mechanisms designed to transition from emergency assistance to long-term development,” she stated.

Rossbach stressed that without a strong focus on development, global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals, climate commitments, and the New Urban Agenda cannot be achieved.

Among examples of ongoing cooperation, she highlighted projects in Kenya aimed at transforming refugee camps into fully functioning urban communities, as well as initiatives in Ghana where partners are helping develop a national urban policy.

By Sabina Mammadli