Baku: Held under the central theme, 'Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,' the conference aims to address the global housing crisis and accelerate collective global action to build inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient urban systems. The Lao PDR delegation will engage in the official opening ceremony, participate in strategic bilateral meetings, and showcase the nation's progressive urban development strategy at a dedicated national exhibition booth.
According to Lao News Agency, on the opening day of WUF13 in Baku, the Ministerial Roundtable convened member states to deliberate on pressing global urbanization challenges. Representing Lao PDR, Mr. Detsongkham Thammavong, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, delivered a comprehensive national statement outlining the country's unique urban challenges and its ongoing commitment to sustainable development. He highlighted the theme's relevance to Lao PDR, emphasizing the necessity of urban resilience amid climate change vulnerabilities.
The Deputy Minister underscored the scale of climate impacts, citing severe floods in 2025 that affected over 170,000 people. These events underscored the urgency of building inclusive, secure, and sustainable urban environments. Key national initiatives include integrating climate risk assessments into urban designs and prioritizing resilient infrastructure projects in vulnerable towns.
The Lao PDR has also positioned itself as a regional leader in urban governance accountability. The country was the first in the Asia-Pacific region to submit its national report on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in 2023, continuing this leadership by submitting its second report in 2025. Collaborations with international bodies, particularly UN-Habitat, have led to progress such as constructing climate-resilient housing and optimizing clean water supply networks.
Additionally, the Lao PDR is increasingly relying on nature-based solutions. The government acknowledges natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, as essential for regional flood management and urban climate defenses. Expanding local victories into nationwide standards will require global investments and accessible climate finance, particularly for Least Developed Countries facing rapid urbanization and climate risks.
Deputy Minister Thammavong concluded by stressing the importance of current choices in determining urban resilience. The Lao PDR is committed to resilience and invites global partners to share this urgency and ambition. The World Urban Forum (WUF), established by the United Nations in 2001, serves as the premier arena for discussing sustainable urban development, organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan.