By Marcus Moloko
Photos: GCIS
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has delivered South Africa’s country statement at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), currently underway at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
The forum, convened by UN-Habitat, is the world’s premier conference on sustainable urbanisation, bringing together governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to address the global housing crisis.
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Speaking on behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, Simelane indicated how housing remained a foundation for inclusive economic growth, social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.
“We continue to advance localisation of the New Urban Agenda through practical, city-level interventions that strengthen municipal capacity, improve governance, and accelerate service delivery,” she said.
South Africa’s delegation includes senior leaders from across provinces and municipalities, among them Limpopo MEC for CoGHSTA Basikopo Makamu, North West MEC for Human Settlements Oageng Molapisi, Free State MEC for CoGHSTA Saki Mokoena, Mangaung Metro Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi, SALGA’s Xolani Sotashe, and Department of Human Settlements Director-General Alec Moemi.
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The forum runs until 22 May 2026, with its key outcome expected to be the Baku Call to Action. This declaration will shape global policy on housing finance, slum transformation, and climate-resilient construction.
The document will feed directly into the UN Secretary-General’s 2026 report on sustainable development.
