The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, will lead South African delegation to the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) taking place in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan from 17-22 May 2026.

The WUF 13 is convening under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities” and seeks to raise awareness of sustainable urbanisation amongst stakeholders and constituencies, including the public; improve collective knowledge on sustainable urban development through open and inclusive debate, exchange of best practices and policies, and sharing of lessons learnt; and promote collaboration and cooperation between different stakeholders and constituencies engaged in the advancement and implementation of sustainable urbanisation.

It is highly anticipated that the WUF13 will shine a global spotlight on the urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development.

South Africa is rapidly urbanising. At the time the New Urban Agenda was adopted, South Africa was over 60% urbanised; recent data indicates that this figure has grown to 68.82%, and it is projected to reach 71.3% by 2030. Urbanisation is undeniably an irreversible trend.
Notwithstanding the opportunities it has presented for urban development in the country, urbanisation has, however contributed to persistent spatial inequality, challenges in basic services delivery, infrastructure backlogs, and overburdened municipal governance systems, which remain defining characteristics of South African cities. 

Informal practices in land use, housing, and livelihoods pose significant developmental, policy, and management challenges within our urban spaces. These issues highlight both the dynamic nature of urbanisation and the limitations of current planning and service-delivery systems. 

Accordingly, WUF13 will explore how housing can advance inclusion, equity, and resilience, highlighting practical solutions that connect homes to broader urban systems. This includes integrated planning, climate adaptation, land and tenure security, inclusive governance, and locally driven action.

South African delegation that will play significant role through participation in dialogue, roundtable discussions, Ministerial bilateral meetings and stakeholder engagements by placing the country at the centre of global discussion aimed at finding lasting solutions to the world housing crises, will comprise representatives from all spheres of government, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements,  Entities of Human Settlements, Members of Executive Councils (MECs) for Human Settlements, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Mayors and Members of Mayoral Committees (MMCs) responsible for Human Settlements in all Metropolitan Municipalities, civil society and academia. 

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ENQUIRIES: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister on 077 410 5050 I Tsekiso.machike@dhs.gov.za. 
Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements, Govan Mbeki House 240, Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria