The successful implementation of the New Urban Agenda directly depends on a deeper localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a representative of Malawi said at a ministerial roundtable at the Baku Urban Forum (WUF13), Report informs.
The delegate called on the international community to critically assess the current state of global urbanization.
"As we mark the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, the question arises: are we on the right track? From Malawi's perspective, there is progress, but it is too slow to transform our cities," she said.
According to the representative of Malawi, the country's urbanization rate is 19.8%, but infrastructure development, spatial planning, and affordable housing are lagging behind the pace of urban growth.
"Without the creation of sustainable urban financing mechanisms, cities are simply unable to provide citizens with inclusive and high-quality public services," the speaker emphasized.
As an example of internal work to address these issues, the delegate recalled the holding of the fourth session of the Malawi Urban Forum in 2025, dedicated to sustainable urban development.