WUF13 To Strengthen Connection Between Urban Policy And Land Stewardship UNCCD (Exclusive Interview)

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku is expected to strengthen connection between urban policy and land stewardship, Chief Communications, External Relations and Partnerships for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Xenya Scanlon said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of the forum.

“WUF13 comes at a critical moment, as cities face growing pressure from climate change, drought, land degradation and rapid urban expansion. UNCCD is bringing a simple message to Baku: healthy land underpins food and water security, economic stability and more resilient cities. In other words, sustainable urban development cannot happen if the ecosystems surrounding cities are degraded. UNCCD has consistently emphasized that land degradation and drought are no longer only rural issues. They increasingly affect cities through their impacts on water availability, food prices, infrastructure, migration and public health,” she said.

Scanlon noted that the discussions at WUF13 and the World Cities Report 2026 highlight the importance of better land governance and climate-resilient urban development.

“This is why integrated territorial planning that connects cities, peri-urban areas and rural landscapes is becoming essential. We see WUF13 as an important opportunity to strengthen the connection between urban policy and land stewardship. Urban planning, housing, transport and infrastructure decisions all influence how land and water resources are managed. As cities become hotter and drier, these decisions will increasingly shape resilience to drought, water stress and extreme heat. Cities can either accelerate land degradation through unsustainable expansion, or become powerful drivers of restoration, adaptation and more efficient resource use through measures such as drought-adapted urban greening, smarter water management and nature-based solutions,” she noted.

UNCCD representative expressed hope that the Forum will help advance more integrated approaches linking land restoration, drought preparedness and adaptation and inclusive urban development, while strengthening partnerships between governments, development institutions, local authorities and the private sector.

“Building more resilient cities will require stronger cooperation between governments, local authorities and international partners. On its part, UNCCD is engaging with partners through initiatives such as the to help advance drought-resilient urban greening and climate adaptation in dryland cities. This builds on the Riyadh Call adopted at COP16, which emphasized the role of local and regional governments in addressing desertification, land degradation and drought. And in the lead-up to COP17, UNCCD is also working closely with UN-Habitat to strengthen engagement with local authorities and connect urban development discussions with land and drought resilience,” she added.

Scanlon went on to add that UNCCD is supporting a range of initiatives that can help countries restore degraded land, strengthen drought resilience and improve long-term water and food security.

“A major priority is helping countries move from crisis response to prevention through stronger land governance and drought preparedness. Another key area is scaling up investment in land restoration and sustainable land management through stronger partnerships between governments, development institutions and the private sector. This includes initiatives such as the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which aims to support vulnerable countries in implementing national drought plans, and Business 4 Land, which seeks to reinforce private sector engagement in land and drought action,” she said.

The UNCCD representative believes that countries like Azerbaijan can play an important role by advancing practical approaches that connect sustainable urban development with responsible land and water management and climate resilience.

“WUF13 provides an important opportunity to strengthen international cooperation around these shared priorities,” she added.

Further, Scanlon noted that land degradation and urban expansion are increasingly interconnected challenges -particularly as many cities are becoming more vulnerable to extreme heat, erratic rainfall and water stress.

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