Ruffin Sambani: WUF13 key step for New Urban Agenda

The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku is a milestone in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, said Ruffin Sambany, a representative of Madagascar's Ministry of Land Management, at the ministerial roundtable within the framework of WUF13 in Baku, Report informs.

"Our ministry expresses its gratitude to UN-HABITAT and the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for organizing WUF13, dedicated to the theme 'Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.' This event is an important milestone in the international reflection on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, in seeking responses to the global housing crisis, as well as to the growing challenges related to urbanization and urban sustainability in our countries," he said.

According to Sambany, urban dynamics in Madagascar are developing at a rapid pace, with cities already accounting for approximately 75% of national economic growth.

He noted that more than half of the country's population is expected to reside in urban areas by 2036, which intensifies the challenges related to urban infrastructure, housing construction, and vulnerability to climate events.

"Faced with these challenges, Madagascar is committed to implementing various policies and reforms aimed at promoting more inclusive, balanced, and sustainable urban development, as well as at shaping a national approach to housing policy with the support and assistance of the head of government," the ministry's representative emphasized.