BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 2026) – Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Board Chair of the Global Leadership and Governance Institute (GLGI) and former President of the Republic of Mauritius, has been actively spearheading critical conversations on gender equality and sustainable housing at the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
Held in Baku and organized by UN-Habitat, WUF13 has brought together over 30,000 participants from more than 175 countries to address the future of cities. Dr. Gurib-Fakim, who serves as a Member of the Network of Global Independent Citizens (NGIC), took the stage at the Opening Session to deliver remarks at the Women’s Assembly, whose theme centered on “co-creating gender transformative strategies for adequate housing for all women and girls.”
On Tuesday, May 19th, she joined a distinguished panel for the special session titled “Pulse of Healthy Homes,” where she shared her scientific and governance expertise alongside a diverse slate of global leaders including Dr. Jose Zuniga, the President/CEO of Fast Track Health, Dr. Carlos Dora, the Ex President of International Society of Urban Health, Dr. Linda Lloyd, the Lancet Commissioner, artist Kan Chan Kin, and Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.
A Call for Gender-Transformative Urban Design
During her addresses, Dr. Gurib-Fakim emphasized the urgent need to reimagine urban infrastructure. “Gender equality in urban development plays a pivotal role in creating inclusive urban spaces and nurturing thriving societies,” she stated. “To promote greater gender equality, the current development of urban infrastructure and the built environment needs to be redesigned to be more inclusive.”
High-Level Intellectual Exchange
Beyond the main stage, the forum provided a vital platform for high-level international dialogue. Dr. Gurib-Fakim attended an intimate dinner featuring fellow global thought leaders Jeffrey Sachs and Ismail Serageldin—a gathering she described as ensuring “heightened intellectual discussions.”
Advancing GLGI’s Mission
Dr. Gurib-Fakim’s active engagement at WUF13 and her high-level networking with renowned global figures closely aligns with the core mission of the Global Leadership & Governance Institute (GLGI). As the institute’s BOD Chair, she exemplifies GLGI’s dedication to advancing international cooperation, public policy dialogue, and governance innovation. Her presence at this global forum underscores GLGI’s strategic approach to connecting institutional leaders with critical policy environments and fostering cross-border partnerships to navigate an increasingly complex world.
