BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. Evaluating housing as a social necessity and building a transparent, data-driven investment system with mandatory outcome monitoring stand as core requirements for effective urban development and improving public quality of life, said Fahad Albuliheshi, Mayor of the Madinah Region and CEO of the Madinah Region Development Authority, Trend reports.
The official made the remarks during a panel session titled "The Climate-Housing Nexus" held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
"We view housing as a social necessity, not simply as an infrastructure asset, and that is precisely why we build a transparent and data-driven investment system," he noted.
According to him, achieving tangible changes requires establishing a unified language of interaction among government entities, international investors, and data analysts.
"If we want to achieve a real impact, we must speak the same language as investors and those who analyze data," he added.
He emphasized that Medina successfully established a transparent and reliable governance framework by engaging experts and developing an appropriate legislative base. AAlbuliheshi also shared that investments in the city align with sustainable development goals and rely on a system of continuous monitoring and outcome evaluation.
According to the mayor, regular oversight not only boosts project efficiency but also tracks its economic impact. As examples, he cited the restoration of urban canals, alleys, and municipal infrastructure, noting that the monitoring framework enables timely adjustments to municipal policy and the city's broader development strategy.
Today marks the fourth day of WUF13 in Baku.
The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and Azerbaijani flags also took place.
The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit, featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin American region and preparing for WUF14.
The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and sustainable transport.
WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” the forum brings together governments, international organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development.
