Tembi Nkadimeng: 'In Baku we saw a beautiful, surprisingly clean city and integrated planning'
"I believe the main advantage of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum lies in its strategic focus on creating resilient cities—cities capable of withstanding disasters and adapting to changing climatic conditions that are affecting the entire world today."
As 1news.az reports, this was stated by South African Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Tembi Nkadimeng while answering journalists' questions during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
"Serious attention is also being paid to ensuring that projects financed or supported through blended finance mechanisms are sustainable. This is necessary so that the progress achieved is long-term and does not require repeated restoration or intervention.
Importantly, the agenda of this forum focuses on vulnerable population groups—the elderly, residents of informal settlements, persons with disabilities, and youth. The main idea is that cities can thrive economically only when all communities are provided with decent living conditions, including access to sustainable housing, which allows them to make a meaningful contribution to the development of their countries.
The current 13th session serves as a reminder that states need to think differently. We need closer cooperation, more active information exchange, and a genuine approach involving all stakeholders. And although countries may hold different geopolitical positions, human dignity, sustainable development, and access to housing are universal public needs shared around the world.
Our South African delegation was received very warmly. We had the opportunity to see a beautiful and surprisingly clean city. We also noted how urban planning here is integrated, including such vital areas of life support as electricity supply, water supply, and waste management.
Preparation for the event is truly impressive: everything is organized professionally, thoughtfully, and at the highest level. As noted in the welcoming remarks of the participating countries, everyone expresses sincere gratitude to Azerbaijan for its efforts—not only for successfully obtaining the right to host this event, but also for creating an atmosphere in which every delegation feels like a welcome guest involved in the common mission of protecting human dignity through the development of housing and the urban environment," the minister concluded.
