Baku: The search for innovative solutions to combat the housing deficit, which is estimated at around two million, is one of Angola's objectives at the 13th World Urban Forum, which begins Sunday in Baku, Azerbaijan. This information was given to the press on Friday by the spokesperson for the Angolan delegation to the event, Paulo Tecas, when speaking about the main challenges affecting the housing sector in the country, at the Baku Olympic Stadium. According to Angola Press News Agency, this housing shortage is the result of several intrinsic factors, but the idea is to share and gather the best ideas so that this challenge can be mitigated. He added that, in the country, the housing deficit is driven by the problem of the progression of informal settlements and demographic pressure that generate a conflict and imbalance between supply and demand. Therefore, he emphasized that the delegation to the event also includes members of provincial governments and private sector companies operating in the country, within the framework of the partnership with the Angolan State, so that they can participate and effectively show the progress already made. In practical terms, Paulo Tecas highlighted the contribution of the private housing sector, citing as an example the KK 5800 project, with more than 10,000 decent homes. The 13th World Urban Forum runs until the 22nd of this month, under the theme "Housing for the world, safe and resilient cities and communities." Angola's participation in this international platform stems from the commitments made and the need to continue gathering experiences that create social impacts internally. The Angolan delegation, headed by the Minister of Public Works, Urban Planning and Housing, Carlos Alberto dos Santos, includes the Secretary of State for Urban Planning and Housing, Conceiço Cristóvo, representatives from ministerial departments, provincial governments, and private companies, reinforcing the country's multi-sectoral participation in this important international meeting. S ince its first edition, held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002, the World Urban Forum has been the leading global conference dedicated to sustainable urbanization and is expected to bring together more than 20,000 participants from 180 countries at this year's event.