UN official: Quality services essential for good cities

The essence of cities is measured not only by buildings but also by the quality of services provided, Andre Dzikus, Head of the Urban Basic Services Section of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), said at the Assembly of the Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, according to Report.

"A city is defined not only by its skyline but also by its services and the quality of life those services ensure in those cities. Whether it is people having access to water they can trust, energy they can afford, or transportation – this forms the foundation of this process. Utility service providers are not just infrastructure operators; they are the core force that unites and empowers communities. Where services are lacking, inequality grows, while cities with strong service networks thrive. When services are planned together with housing, land use, and mobility, a city becomes an engine of opportunity. The future of cities depends on the transition from infrastructure delivery to human-centered service provision."

The UN official particularly emphasized the importance of the Baku Call to Action document: "No utility, no city, no actor can carry out this transformation alone. We need partnerships that work between national and local levels, between public and private sectors, between formal and informal providers. Partnerships built not only on strategy but also on trust, accountability, and shared purpose. And this is what brings us together here today. This is about raising your voice here, at the World Urban Forum. Because too often, global urban discussions discuss service delivery without sufficiently hearing the voices of those who actually deliver the services. This must change. This platform is here to share real and practical solutions, to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation, and to help shape the 'Baku Call to Action' document."