Lead
At the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, African leaders have raised alarm over the increasing devastation caused by climate change and rapid urbanization, saying they lack resources to respond effectively. The forum, which runs until November 22, has gathered government leaders, urban planners, researchers, and development partners from around the world to discuss housing challenges.
Moges Tadesse, Chief Resilience Officer at the Addis Ababa City Resilience Project Office, reported that flooding during the rainy season has destroyed homes, particularly those near river banks, leading to deaths and loss of assets. He noted a cascading effect on public health and residents' livelihoods. African policymakers are increasingly treating housing not as a welfare issue but as a core economic and infrastructure challenge. The United Nations says sustainable urbanization and access to homes are central to achieving global development goals.
Coverage comparison
Two news organizations provided detailed coverage of the event. Africa News focused on the crisis narrative, quoting multiple national representatives about the urgency of climate adaptation and the shortage of funds. The outlet highlighted statements from Angola, Ethiopia, The Gambia, and South Africa, and included specific examples of flooding impacts. It also reported that Angola directs 7.5% of its GDP to the residential sector and has built 350,000 homes in recent years.
AllAfrica, on the other hand, emphasized Angola's diplomatic initiative to accelerate UN-Habitat's new urban agenda implementation by 2036. The outlet covered the ministerial meeting with 54 government representatives and focused on Angola's goal to position Africa as a driver of sustainable development, innovation, and prosperity. It also reported the forum theme and Angola's long-standing participation in the event.
The two sources differed on the number of countries represented at the forum: Africa News reported 176 countries, while AllAfrica reported 180 countries. They also differed on the exact spelling of the forum name (World Urban Forum vs. WFU) and whether the United Nations' statement on sustainable urbanization was included.
Key claims
- Climate change is causing widespread destruction across Africa, as reported by Africa News.
- Leaders at the World Urban Forum in Baku sounded the alarm on extreme weather and rapid urbanization, as reported by Africa News.
- The forum included representatives from 176 countries (Africa News) or 180 countries (AllAfrica).
- Representatives from Angola, Ethiopia, The Gambia, and South Africa attended the forum, as reported by Africa News.
- Moges Tadesse reported that flooding destroyed homes near river banks, causing deaths and asset loss, with cascading effects on public health and livelihoods, as reported by Africa News.
- Angola's Minister of Public Works, Urban Planning, and Housing, Carlos Alberto dos Santos, said the country directs around 7.5% of GDP to the residential sector, and the state has built 350,000 homes in recent years, as reported by Africa News.
- The Gambia's Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, Hamat Ngai Kumba Bah, said nobody has sufficient finances and advocated for innovative financing mechanisms, as reported by Africa News.
- Angola defended the acceleration of UN-Habitat's new urban agenda implementation by 2036, to prevent Africa from becoming a space of climate vulnerability and social exclusion, as reported by AllAfrica.
- Carlos Alberto dos Santos stated that there will be no resilient cities without strong urban infrastructures, adequate funding, and an integrated vision, as reported by AllAfrica.
- The forum theme is 'Housing for the world: safe and resilient cities and communities', as reported by AllAfrica.