The world today is facing a housing crisis with more than 2.8 billion people lacking adequate housing, 1 billion people living in informal settlements and slums.

Axar.az reports that this was stated by Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), during the panel discussion titled “Quality and Secure Housing for a Sustainable Urban Future” held within the framework of World Urban Forum 13.

“Housing is not only shelter, it is about dignity, safety and opportunity,” she said, stressing that quality and secure housing is essential for a sustainable urban future.

Rossbach reaffirmed UN-Habitat’s commitment to supporting local governments as key actors in sustainable urban development, adding that cities are not only implementers of global agendas but also leaders in innovation, cooperation and transformation.