CAP’s Reflections from World Urban Forum Thirteenth Session, Baku Azerbauan

Momentum, commitment, and a shared vision for housing justice

This May, members of the Commonwealth Association of Planners joined thousands of urban leaders, practitioners and policymakers at the World Urban Forum 13 in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was an extraordinary gathering (the largest WUF to date, with more than 52,000 participants from 176 countries) and one that reaffirmed the power of global collaboration and the essential role of planners in shaping sustainable, inclusive and resilient futures.

At the heart of this year’s Forum was the Baku Call to Action, a bold and unambiguous statement urging the world to confront the global housing crisis at its roots. It is a call that resonates deeply with our mission as planners, and one that demands our collective leadership.

The Baku Call to Action: A turning point

The Baku Call to Action is more than a document, it is a rallying cry. It recognises that the global housing crisis is not a series of isolated challenges, but a polycrisis driven by structural inequities, historical injustices and governance failures. With an estimated 3.4 billion people living in inadequate housing, the urgency could not be clearer.

The Call to Action highlights three core imperatives:

●      Rethinking housing systems by recognising housing as a human right and a social good.

●      Embedding climate justice, acknowledging that housing and climate resilience are inseparable.

●      Moving from commitments to implementation, shifting from aspiration to action through stronger governance, investment and accountability.

This final point echoed throughout WUF13.

As Kelley Moore, CAP’s Secretary General, reflected, “WUF13 reinforced the importance of integrated planning, professional collaboration, local capacity building, climate resilience, and moving from commitments to implementation.” 

It was a message that resonated across panel sessions, training workshops and informal conversations: the path forward exists, now the world must deliver.

Strengthening capacity for sustainable urban futures

CAP was proud to contribute to a collaborative training session led by ISOCARP under the patronage of the Habitat Professionals Forum. The session focused on capacity development, equipping participants with tools to identify capacity gaps, co‑develop strategic responses and strengthen professional competencies.

Kelley joined an exceptional panel of international leaders, contributing to discussions that underscored the need for stronger partnerships, integrated planning systems and meaningful collaboration across sectors and communities. As she noted, participating alongside colleagues from across the Commonwealth and internationally was both an honour and a reminder of the scale of our shared responsibility.

We also contributed to the session Housing for All Ages: Planning Inclusive, Resilient Communities, exploring how planners can deliver affordable, accessible and adaptable housing across the life course - a critical dimension of SDGs 3, 10, 11, 13 and 17.

The role of CAP members: delivering on the Baku Call to Action

The Baku Call to Action sets a global direction, but its success depends on local leadership. This is where CAP members play a pivotal role.

Across the Commonwealth, planners are uniquely positioned to:

●      Champion housing as a human right

●      Embed climate resilience in planning systems

●      Strengthen community-led planning

●      Advocate for inclusive governance and equitable investment

●      Tell the stories that shift public understanding

Our work is not only technical, it is narrative. Planners are storytellers. We connect people, places and possibilities. We translate community aspirations into shared visions. We bridge the local and the global. Delivering on the Baku Call to Action requires us to bring these strengths to the forefront.

A reflection on WUF13: Connecting the Commonwealth

WUF13 reminded us that planning is a global profession with a shared purpose. Whether in small island states confronting climate impacts, rapidly growing African cities, or established urban centres navigating housing affordability, the challenges we face are interconnected - and so are the solutions.

The warmth and hospitality of the Azerbaijani people added a memorable dimension to the Forum. Their pride of place was evident in the architecture, the preservation of history, traditional arts and culture, and in the generosity shown by volunteers throughout the event. Even amidst the pace and intensity, there was always someone ready with a smile or an offer to help.

Discussions throughout the Forum reinforced themes central to both the WUF13 Background Paper and the Baku Call to Action: housing as a human right, integrated planning systems, climate resilience, multilevel governance, participatory approaches and professional capacity development. One message rose above all others, implementation matters. Achieving meaningful progress will require stronger governance mechanisms, long-term investment, local capacity building and sustained collaboration across sectors and disciplines. This aligns strongly with CAP’s mandate and ongoing work across the Commonwealth.

For the Commonwealth, this global connection is especially powerful. Our diversity is our strength. Our shared history, values and professional networks give us a unique platform to:

●      Drive momentum for housing justice

●      Advance sustainable urban growth

●      Strengthen planning capacity across borders

●      Share knowledge and amplify innovation

As planners, we hold the tools to shape the future, but more importantly, we hold the stories that inspire action.

Looking ahead

The momentum from Baku is real. It is energising. And, it is ours to carry forward.

Let us continue to lead with purpose, collaborate with generosity and advocate with courage. Together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth remains at the forefront of global planning leadership, advancing housing justice, climate resilience and sustainable urban futures for all.

If you’d like to explore how CAP can support your work or how you can contribute to the Baku Call to Action, you may want to explore our global initiatives or connect with colleagues across the network through our professional community, or get in touch with Commonwealth Association of Planners Secretariat Annette O’Donnell at annette.odonnell@rtpi.org.uk