At WUF13 in Baku, The Gambia sent a clear message to the global community: housing is a human right, not just a social policy element, Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor of The Gambia's capital, Banjul, said at the forum's closing ceremony, Report informs.
"Decent housing cannot exist without universal, accessible, and equitable public services," she emphasized.
According to Lowe, local and regional authorities need adequate authority, funding, and political recognition given the enormous responsibility they bear to their communities.
She also noted that Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda cannot advance without addressing the digital divide and existing barriers.
The Mayor of Banjul emphasized that local and regional authorities must participate in shaping global commitments, the implementation of which then falls to communities.
"This isn't just about politics-it's about trust, democracy, and the very future of multilateral cooperation," Lowe added.