Baku, June 6 -- As countries gathered in the Azerbaijani capital Baku for the World Urban Forum (WUF), discussions on the global housing crisis were shaped by stark contrasts between development-focused solutions and the lived realities of war-affected nations, as representatives from conflict-hit regions highlighted large-scale displacement, destruction of housing, and urgent humanitarian challenges, underscoring that reconstruction efforts remain far from adequate amid funding gaps and ongoing conflicts.

"Resilience begins with the right to stay," read the slogan painted on the Palestinian pavilion at the Urban Expo of the 13th edition of the WUF, where 66 countries showcased their housing experiences and innovations.

At the Minab-168...