President of Mauritius thanks Ilham Aliyev for invitation to WUF13

Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool has praised Azerbaijan's sustainable urban development initiatives and thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the invitation to WUF13 in Baku, Report informs.

Speaking at the World Urban Forum (WUF) Leaders' Summit, which is being held in Baku for the first time, the president of Mauritius noted that today, approximately 3 billion people worldwide continue to live in inadequate housing conditions, and nearly 1 billion live in slums.

"This is an unprecedented humanitarian challenge. The forum we are participating in is the best opportunity to exchange experiences and disseminate best practices," Dharambeer Gokhool emphasized.

He noted that the Government of Mauritius has approved a national development strategy for 2040, which places particular emphasis on planning issues.

"Our goal is to ensure the efficient use of limited land resources and social justice in full compliance with the New Urban Development Program. We must provide decent and affordable housing for low- and middle-income families," the president stated.