Hungarian envoy: Billions worldwide still lack access to housing

Currently, billions of people across the globe remain without access to adequate housing, Tamás József Torma, Hungary's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, said during the ministerial roundtable at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

The ambassador highlighted that hosting WUF13 in Baku demonstrates Azerbaijan's recognition as an important member of the international community:

"Ten years ago, the international community adopted the New Urban Agenda with an ambitious vision. Today, as we review a decade of implementation, we must acknowledge not only the progress made but also the urgent tasks ahead. The New Urban Agenda has helped place sustainable urbanization at the center of global development. Many countries have tracked their actions, developed urban policies, expanded climate‑resilient planning, and invested in public transport and digital infrastructure."

Torma noted that the housing crisis has deepened worldwide: "Access to adequate, safe housing is still unattainable for billions of people. Housing should no longer be viewed merely as a social issue. It is a defining economic, ecological, and political challenge of our time. The reality is clear: without placing housing at the center of the urban agenda, sustainable urban development cannot be achieved. That is why the next decade must be a decade of implementation."