Welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse, where we bring you the latest conversations shaping global policy and development. We turn now to the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, which has been running since Sunday 17 May. The conference, jointly organised by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, has brought together world leaders, mayors, urban planners, and representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations to discuss rapid urbanisation and the shortage of adequate housing.  Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Ishaku Maitumbi, Head of the Sub-Regional Office for East and the Horn of Africa at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, to reflect on what these discussions mean for African cities facing rising populations, infrastructure pressures, and expanding informal settlements.

<p>Welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse, where we bring you the latest conversations shaping global policy and development. We turn now to the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, which has been running since Sunday 17 May. The conference, jointly organised by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, has brought together world leaders, mayors, urban planners, and representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations to discuss rapid urbanisation and the shortage of adequate housing. &nbsp;T<strong>sepiso Makwetla spoke to Ishaku Maitumbi, Head of the Sub-Regional Office for East and the Horn of Africa at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat</strong>, to reflect on what these discussions mean for African cities facing rising populations, infrastructure pressures, and expanding informal settlements.</p>