WUF13

WUF13

SDSN: Elimination of slums and improvement of the urban environment are key priorities

Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

19 May 2026 10:52 (UTC +04:00)

The elimination of slums and the improvement of the urban environment are key priorities, Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), said during the panel titled “The Global Housing Crisis – What’s the Plan?” held within the framework of WUF13, APA-Economics reports.

According to him, urban population growth in many countries has already reached its peak, and in these countries the main focus should be directed not toward building new housing, but toward renovating the existing housing stock.

Jeffrey Sachs stated that the main tasks in such countries include eliminating slums, improving living conditions, and modernizing the urban environment.

The expert noted that the global housing crisis does not have the same nature for all countries: “Over the next 25 years, the urban population of the world will increase by approximately 2 billion people, with this growth mainly taking place in Africa and South Asia.”

According to him, Africa’s population will rise from the current 1.4 billion people to 2.5 billion by the middle of the century, making housing and infrastructure provision one of the continent’s main challenges.

Jeffrey Sachs emphasized that housing policy should be developed by taking into account each country’s demographic dynamics, income levels, employment opportunities, and urban planning characteristics.

Rahim Tariverdiyev

Jeffrey Sachs SDSN WUF13 housing crisis slums urban environment urbanization housing policy Africa South Asia infrastructure sustainable development urban planning housing renovation population growth

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