ECA champions the Nairobi Declaration and Africa's Urban Position through high level engagement, ministerial leadership, and a landmark side event at WUF13
Baku, Azerbaijan, 22 May 2026 – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) demonstrated strong institutional leadership at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 18 to 22 May 2026, under the theme 'Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.' ECA's active engagement at the Forum reinforced its role as a key technical and policy partner in advancing sustainable urbanization across the African continent.
Representing ECA at the Africa Ministerial Meeting
On 18 May 2026, ECA represented the Executive Secretary at the high level African Ministerial Meeting on 'Implementing the Nairobi Declaration: From Political Commitment to Continental Action.' The session was co convened by UN Habitat, the African Union Commission (AUC), and ECA, and brought together ministers responsible for housing, urban development, and finance from across AU Member States.
On behalf of ECA Executive Secretary Mr. Claver Gatete, opening remarks were delivered alongside UN Habitat Executive Director Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach and the AU Commission representative. ECA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting Member States in implementing the Nairobi Declaration, Africa's most substantive collective urban policy signal in a decade, which sets out six strategic clusters for action: political commitment and policy reform; land and infrastructure; intergovernmental fiscal reform; national urban policies; urban climate action; and inclusive communities.
Speaking on behalf of Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, ECA stated: “The Nairobi Declaration represents Africa's most significant collective urban policy signal in a decade, providing a framework across six strategic areas: political commitment and policy reform, land and infrastructure, intergovernmental fiscal reform, national urban policies, urban climate action, and inclusive communities.”
The Ministerial Meeting concluded with the adoption of a Ministerial Implementation Action Plan, designating WUF13 and the July 2026 UN General Assembly High Level Review of the New Urban Agenda as critical platforms for advancing Africa's coordinated urban voice on the global stage.
ECA Side Event: United for Change
On 22 May 2026, ECA organized a high profile side event entitled 'United for Change: Translating Africa's Urban Position into Transformative Actions.' The 90 minute event, held jointly with the AUC and UN Habitat, convened senior panelists from across Africa's urban stakeholders: the African Union Commission, UN Habitat, the Government of Kenya, the Mayor of Harare, and the City Manager of Nakuru.
The side event examined four interconnected drivers of urban transformation: local governance and implementation systems; municipal finance and investment readiness; digital transformation and smart urban development; and housing and urban resilience. Discussions centered on actionable pathways to close the implementation gap between continental ambitions and city level delivery, consistent with the African Urban Position adopted at the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF2) in Nairobi.
ECA's Commitment to Africa's Urban Future
ECA's participation at WUF13 underscores the Commission's strategic role as a key technical partner in realizing the African Urban Position. ECA stands ready to support Member States in mobilizing domestic resources, advancing data driven urban planning, strengthening local government capacity, and providing the analytical and policy guidance necessary to unlock the full potential of sustainable urbanization on the continent.
As Africa continues to urbanize at an accelerating pace, the deliberations and commitments made at WUF13 represent a critical milestone in shaping a prosperous, inclusive, and climate resilient urban future for Africa's cities, economies, and people.
Speaking on Africa's urban transformation agenda, ECA emphasized: 'Africa's urbanization presents both a challenge and a historic opportunity — for our people, our economies, and our shared future.'
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org