The G100 Smart and Sustainable Cities Wing successfully organized its special event, “Housing in an Interconnected World: Women Leading Inclusive & Resilient Urban Futures,” on 20 May 2026 as part of World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) in Azerbaijan, Baku.   The event brought together distinguished women leaders, urban experts, and international stakeholders to discuss the critical role of women’s leadership in shaping more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.   We would like to express our sincere appreciation to UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) for hosting the event, as well as to our strategic partners ENoLL (European Network of Living Labs) and Asian Coalition For Housing Rights (ACHR)for their valuable support and contributions.   The session opened with remarks by H. Zeynep Bodur Okyay, Global Chair of the G100 Smart and Sustainable Cities Wing, who highlighted the importance of global collaboration, collective leadership, and cross-sector partnerships in addressing today’s urban challenges.   The event was moderated by Berrin Benli, Coordinator of the G100 Smart and Sustainable Cities Wing and Founder of NOVUSENS Smart City Institute.   Distinguished speakers included:

• H. Zeynep Bodur Okyay – Global Chair of G100 Smart and Sustainable Cities Wing; President and CEO, Kale Group
• Martina De Sole – G100 Wing Global Advisory Council member; Director, ENoLL (European Network of Living Labs) Labs (ENoLL), Belgium
• Lajana Manandhar– G100 Wing Country Chair of Nepal; Executive Director, LUMANTI; Coordinator, ACHR
• Olga Chepelianskaia – G100 Wing Country Chair of India; Principal Consultant, UNICITI Climate Resilient Urban Development
• Olenka Ochoa Berreteaga – G100 Wing Country Chair of Peru; International Urban Expert, Founder FEMUM-ALC; Policy Unit Group Urban National Policies Habitat III Expert;
• Dr (h.c) Hartini Osman – G100 Club Global President; Founder of Well-Being Foundation.

The discussions generated several important insights for the future of sustainable urban development:

• Inclusivity in action – Women and vulnerable groups must be active participants in urban decision-making.
• Resilience beyond infrastructure – Strong communities and equitable access are essential for resilient cities.
• Integrated climate resilience – Cities require holistic and forward-looking solutions to address climate challenges.
• Leadership and collaboration – Women leaders and strategic partnerships are key drivers of sustainable transformation.

  The event reaffirmed the importance of inclusive leadership, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in building cities that are not only smart and sustainable, but also resilient and people-centered.   As the G100 Smart and Sustainable Cities Wing (coordinated by Novusens), we look forward to continuing this dialogue and transforming these valuable insights into impactful initiatives, partnerships, and global engagements.   Together, we continue working towards smarter, more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities for all.