Colorful graphic with text "World Urban Forum, 17-22 May, 2026, Baku, Azerbaijan" with WUF and Habitat logos in top left corner.

Habitat for Humanity at World Urban Forum 2026

Driving global solutions for adequate housing at the world’s leading urban platform

From May 17-22, 2026, Habitat for Humanity will join global leaders in Baku for the World Urban Forum 2026 — the world’s premier platform for shaping sustainable urban development. Convened by UN-Habitat, this year’s forum is the first ever dedicated to housing, making it a pivotal moment for global action. We’re excited to bring our on-the-ground experience from over 60 countries to the conversation. Our goal is clear: to amplify the call for adequate housing for all and strengthen Habitat’s role as a global housing authority within civil society.

At WUF13, we will connect, influence and drive solutions that match the scale of today’s housing crisis.

 

What we’re bringing to the global stage

At WUF13, Habitat for Humanity is championing three clear messages. 

First, housing must be recognized as a foundation for economic growth, climate resilience and human dignity — and placed at the center of development agendas. 

Second, the global community needs a shared language and framework for housing to align policy, investment and action across systems. 

Third, we must scale proven, systems-based housing solutions that reflect how cities actually grow — solutions that are inclusive, climate-responsive and grounded in real-world practice. 

Together, these messages call for a shift from fragmented efforts to coordinated, large-scale housing systems transformation.
 

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Turning ideas into action

From strategy to implementation, Habitat for Humanity delivers practical solutions that transform housing systems in cities. The models and case studies below highlight how we turn ideas into scalable impact on the ground.

 

Urban models

Habitat for Humanity works across diverse urban contexts with integrated, people-centered approaches to housing challenges at scale. Our work is guided by five core intervention models — from informal settlement upgrading and sustainable urban expansion to adaptive reuse, disaster response and diverse tenure solutions — showing how partnerships, markets and policy can transform housing systems.

Explore Habitat’s urban intervention models

Case studies

At WUF13, we are showcasing field-tested solutions from across our global network — from converting vacant buildings into affordable housing in Europe to upgrading informal settlements in Malawi, advancing climate resilience in Fiji, supporting incremental housing in Peru and scaling bamboo-based homes in Nepal. Together, these examples show how locally driven solutions can create systemic impact globally.

Discover the full case studies collection (PDF)

Introducing the Housing Continuum Report

At WUF13, Habitat for Humanity will launch the Housing Continuum Report — a flagship contribution to global housing thought leadership. 

 

The report establishes a shared framework for understanding the full spectrum of housing need, from homelessness to market-based solutions, including the critical role of incremental housing. By creating a common global language, it enables better policy alignment, smarter investments and more effective housing systems. This work positions Habitat at the forefront of shaping how the global housing crisis is defined, discussed and solved.

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Join us at WUF13

We invite you to join us at WUF13 — either in Baku or online through hybrid sessions. Habitat for Humanity will be actively contributing across a range of dialogues, side events and high-level discussions aligned with the forum’s key themes, including housing finance, informal settlement transformation and the climate-housing nexus. Our sessions will bring together global experts, partners and communities to share insights, spark collaboration and accelerate action. 

For the most updated agenda see the official World Urban Forum 13 webpage.

Across the forum, Habitat for Humanity representatives will join a wide range of conversations and collaborative discussions, including:

Shaping the future of housing — together

The global housing crisis demands bold ideas, strong partnerships and coordinated action. At WUF13, Habitat for Humanity is committed to working alongside governments, partners and communities to drive solutions that are inclusive, scalable and sustainable. Whether through policy influence, innovative housing models or on-the-ground implementation, we believe that adequate housing for all is achievable. 

Join us as we help shape the future of housing worldwide.

 

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Get in touch

For inquiries or to explore opportunities to engage with us around WUF13, please contact:

James Schell 
Senior Director of Program Partnerships 
[email protected]