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The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) opened in Baku with a strong call for more inclusive, resilient and people-centred approaches to urban development, as global housing shortages and climate pressures intensify.

Convened by UN-Habitat, the forum has brought together governments, civil society organisations, local authorities, businesses, women’s groups and youth advocates to address a wide range of urban challenges.

Key issues under discussion include housing rights, gender equality, climate resilience, governance and private-sector innovation.

Outcomes from the discussions are expected to shape the “Baku Call to Action,” the outcome document of WUF13, and contribute to advancing the New Urban Agenda.

In her opening remarks on Sunday, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach urged participants to ensure the outcome document reflects diverse voices and priorities emerging from the forum.

Local governments key to urban transformation

The World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments gathered mayors, governors and regional leaders, reaffirming the central role of local authorities in advancing sustainable urban development and strengthening multilateral cooperation.

Participants emphasised that local governments remain central to implementing the New Urban Agenda and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) beyond 2030, particularly as cities face mounting pressure from housing shortages, inequality and climate impacts.

Discussions explored multilevel governance, innovative financing, local public services and community-led approaches to housing and resilience.

Cecilia Vaca Jones, Executive Director of the Breathe Cities initiative at the Clean Air Fund, emphasised that local governments must be recognised “not only as implementers but as political leaders shaping the future of the New Urban Agenda.”

“Clean air belongs in the heart of the urban agenda and not only in environmental conversations,” Jones said.

Delivering climate-resilient housing

At the Business Assembly, participants explored how innovation and collaboration across the housing value chain can help accelerate the delivery of adequate, affordable and climate-resilient housing.

Stakeholders identified regulatory barriers, infrastructure gaps, financing constraints and operational risks that continue to slow housing delivery in many parts of the world.

Discussions also highlighted emerging solutions, including AI-enabled planning, modular construction and low-carbon materials.

“The tipping point comes when green infrastructure stops being treated as visual and architectural premium and starts being treated as measurable climate infrastructure,” CEO and Founder of SmartSylvan, Parisa Kloss said.

Participants also called for stronger coordination among governments, financial institutions, developers and service providers to accelerate housing delivery and strengthen long-term resilience.

Placing gender equality at global urban policy

The Women’s Assembly underscored the need to place gender equality and housing justice at the centre of global urban policy.

Discussions explored how housing systems can become more equitable and responsive to the needs of women and girls, particularly in relation to safety, mobility, economic opportunity and participation in shaping urban environments.

Kaori Ishikawa of UN Women highlighted that despite growing representation in political institutions, women continue to face discrimination in housing security, income and access to opportunities.

The Children and Youth Assembly stressed the urgency of involving young people directly in shaping urban futures.

With nearly 70% of the world’s children and youth expected to live in urban areas by 2050, discussions focused on the realities many young people already face, including inadequate housing, unsafe living conditions and limited opportunities.

Discussions among grassroots and civil society organisations focused on strengthening collective action to advance the right to adequate housing and inclusive urban development.

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Farhad Hajiyev, stressed that “the future of cities will not be decided only in conference rooms [but] also by the generations growing up in today’s urban areas.”

Stakeholders called for greater recognition of grassroots initiatives as long-term drivers of transformation, grounded in equity, dignity, redistribution and equitable access to housing, land and public services.

Discussions also examined sustainable urban planning, affordable housing, climate resilience and the role of civil society in urban governance, while emphasising accountability and stronger collaboration between communities, governments and technical partners.

A shared call for inclusive urban futures

Across all sessions, a common message emerged: “Addressing the global housing crisis requires coordinated, multi-stakeholder action centred on equity, resilience and human dignity”.

From grassroots movements and youth leadership to local governments, women’s organisations and private-sector innovation, participants highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in shaping safe, sustainable and inclusive cities for all. – SAnews.gov.za

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Ministers responsible for agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture from across Southern Africa will gather in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, later this month, for high-level talks focused on regional food systems, climate resilience and the blue economy.

The meeting, convened by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is scheduled for 29 May 2026 and is expected to address pressing challenges affecting food production, livestock health and fisheries development across the region.

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, will chair the ministerial session in his role as chairperson of the Joint Committee of SADC Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Senior officials from SADC member states are expected to meet ahead of the ministerial gathering on 27 and 28 May.

According to the SADC Secretariat, Ministers will review the implementation of previous summit and council decisions while considering measures to strengthen regional food systems and improve resilience against climate-related shocks.

Among the key issues on the agenda will be an update on the region’s food and nutrition security situation, including an assessment of the 2025/26 rainfall season, agricultural production forecasts and climate projections for the 2026/27 season.

The meeting is also expected to examine progress under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), including findings from its fifth biennial review, and discuss strategies aimed at increasing youth participation in agribusiness.

Regional agricultural cooperation initiatives, including the SADC Rice Development Strategy and harmonised seed and fertiliser regulatory systems, will also come under review.

Livestock health is expected to feature prominently during the discussions following recent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in parts of the region.

SADC said Ministers would receive an update on coordinated regional efforts to contain the disease, following a March 2026 call by the SADC Council of Ministers for stronger cross-border surveillance, harmonised vaccination programmes and improved information sharing among member states.

The organisation said the measures are intended to protect livestock-based livelihoods, regional trade and food security.

The meeting will also focus on fisheries governance and aquaculture development as SADC countries seek to expand the region’s blue economy potential.

Ministers are expected to assess implementation of the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors (PROFISHBLUE), alongside initiatives involving tilapia genetic improvement and revisions to the SADC Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan.

SADC said outcomes from the meeting would feed into broader regional frameworks, including the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, the SADC Food and Nutrition Security Strategy and SADC Vision 2050.

The regional bloc said the discussions form part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable economic growth, food security and regional integration among its 16 member states. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Parliament’s programme for the week will be dominated by Budget Vote debates, oversight meetings and a high-level colloquium marking 30 years of South Africa’s democratic Constitution and Africa Day celebrations.

The National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) are scheduled to hold a series of hybrid sittings and committee meetings as lawmakers scrutinise government spending plans and departmental performance for the 2026/27 financial year.

A major highlight of the week will be Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s appearance before the National Assembly on Thursday for an oral question-and-answer session aimed at strengthening executive accountability to Parliament.

Budget Vote debates

From Tuesday through Friday, the National Assembly will convene mini-plenary sessions to debate 18 departmental budget votes, while the NCOP will hold policy debates on the budgets for the agriculture and transport portfolios.

Parliament said the budget process was central to ensuring transparency, accountability and effective allocation of public funds.

“Budget vote debates give Parliament the opportunity to examine departmental plans and proposed budget allocations and to weigh in on them,” Parliament said in a statement. 

“They also help keep both Parliament and the public up to date on government commitments, implementation plans and how public money is being spent.”

The institution said parliamentary committees assess whether departments have fulfilled previous commitments and managed taxpayers’ money responsibly.

Tuesday’s debates in the NA will focus on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Small Business Development, Social Development, Public Service and Administration, Employment and Labour, as well as policing-related votes. The NCOP will simultaneously hold a policy debate on Agriculture.

On Wednesday, lawmakers will debate Defence and Military Veterans, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Government Communication and Information Systems, and Land Reform and Rural Development.

 The NCOP is expected to debate the Transport budget vote and process legislation and committee reports.

On Friday, the National Assembly will conclude debates on the National Treasury and the State Security Agency budget votes before both Houses eventually vote on the national budget in its entirety.

Questions in National Assembly

Deputy President Mashatile is scheduled to appear before the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon for a constitutionally mandated question session.

Parliament said the sessions are held at least once every quarter and form a critical mechanism for oversight of the executive.

Under Section 92(2) of the Constitution, members of the executive are accountable to Parliament both collectively and individually for the exercise of their powers and responsibilities.

Africa Day Colloquium

Parliament, in partnership with the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and University of South Africa, will host a joint colloquium on Friday under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of South Africa’s Constitution in a rapidly changing world”.

The event will take place at the temporary National Assembly Chamber, known as the Dome, in Cape Town and forms part of broader Africa Day commemorations and constitutional celebrations.

Former President Thabo Mbeki is among more than 250 participants expected to attend, alongside presiding officers of Parliament, academics, legal experts, Chapter 9 institutions, civil society representatives, diplomats and students.

According to Parliament, the colloquium aims to reflect critically on the Constitution’s role over the past three decades and South Africa’s place in a rapidly evolving global environment.

The event also serves as a precursor to the 16th Annual Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture.

Oversight committees 

Parliamentary committees are also expected to hold around 30 meetings during the week, covering issues ranging from water security and tourism transformation to higher education governance, policing, health and digital communications.

Among the notable meetings:

• The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education will receive a briefing on the decision to place the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) under administration.
• The Standing Committee on Public Accounts will hold hearings with the City of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality over its 2024/25 audit outcomes.
• The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture will receive a briefing from Cricket South Africa on preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
• The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies will host a workshop on Meta platforms, content moderation and election safety protocols ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

The NCOP will also host a three-sphere report-back and planning session on intergovernmental relations and cooperative governance in the Northern Cape on Friday. – SAnews.gov.za

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Eskom has officially surpassed 365 days without implementing load shedding.

The power utility last achieved the milestone nearly eight years ago in September 2018.

“This moment has been three years in the making since the inception of the generation recovery plan. Eskom’s employees have again delivered using their deep technical and institutional capability built over decades of public investment that remains a critical part of our national capacity, which will now increasingly focus on delivering cleaner sources of energy.

“The Eskom board and I are proud of the leadership demonstrated by the Eskom executive team led by Dan Marokane and the perseverance and focus of Eskom employees following the state capture years,” Eskom Board chairperson, Mteto Nyati, said.

The electricity supplier’s Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, noted that the achievement is a reflection of cooperation from all stakeholders.

“The delivery of this milestone again demonstrates that Eskom’s true progress is rooted in the expertise of its 40 000 people, our Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other partners.

“Government intervention through the Energy Action Plan has also been an important factor towards the progress we have made. Eskom has the scale and human capital experience to partner with investors to help deliver South Africa’s R2.23 trillion Integrated Resource Plan for investment in the energy sector,” Marokane said.

Eskom’s Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo added that morale at the power utility is “at an all-time high as we reach this milestone” with steadfast determination to “deliver to South Africa what we do best”.

“The belief in ourselves and our pride has returned. Today represents the hardest‑won progress in Eskom’s recent history and establishes a stable platform for continued performance improvement, achieved through consistent execution of maintenance and improvement of the reliability of each unit across the system.

“We are ready to participate in a competitive power generation marketplace,” Nxumalo said.

Concerted efforts

The power utility’s sustained improvement has seen a rise in the Energy Availability Factor, a drop in breakdowns at power stations, accompanied by less reliance on Open Cycle Gas Turbines, which guzzle diesel.

This is a result of the implementation of the government’s Energy Action Plan, coupled with the power utility’s own Generation Recovery Plan.

Since the start of the generation recovery plan in March 2023:

• Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improved from 54.56% to 65.16%, an increase of 10.6%.
• Unplanned outages declined from 32.34% to 22.88%, reflecting a comparable reduction of 9.46%. This signals fewer breakdowns and a more reliable plant.
• Reliance on diesel‑powered emergency generation declined significantly, with expenditure falling from approximately R33.3 billion to R6.4 billion (pending the finalisation of the audit process), a reduction of R26.9 billion (around 81%).

“These gains are underpinned by a strengthened maintenance programme and the disciplined implementation of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan.

“Building on earlier maintenance levels, Eskom intensified planned maintenance to restore long-term fleet reliability, while improving outage planning, reducing unit trips, and strengthening operational discipline across people, plant and processes,” Eskom said.

The energy provider vowed to sustain the gains it has made “while supporting the long-term transition of the power system”.

“In line with national energy policy, Eskom is applying a rigorous, evidence-based approach to the timing and readiness of new generation capacity. This will inform decisions on the phased shutdown, repowering, and repurposing of older coal-fired stations in a manner that safeguards security of supply while advancing emissions reduction and just transition objectives.

“A decision is expected in the second quarter of FY2027. This approach ensures that recent operational gains are preserved and that sufficient baseload capacity is maintained to support economic growth and investment,” the power utility said.

Furthermore, Eskom noted that it is using the same “disciplined approach” to deal with affordability and to end load reduction.

“[Over] half a million households across the country [are] already benefiting from Eskom’s targeted load reduction programme.

“This means that many communities that previously experienced periods of load reduction are now receiving a continuous electricity supply.

“Notably, both the Northern Cape and Western Cape have fully eradicated load reduction, demonstrating the real impact of these efforts on people’s daily lives,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa is making measurable progress in advancing sustainable urbanisation, despite the dual challenge of expanding infrastructure to meet growing population demands, while maintaining ageing systems under financial strain.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane made the remarks at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) under the Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda, that is underway in Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Held under the theme: “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, the meeting, taking place from 17 – 22 May 2026, places housing at the centre of discussions on inclusion, economic opportunity and climate resilience.

It brought together national governments, local leaders and international partners at a critical moment for cities.

Delivering the Country Statement on Sunday, 17 May 2026, Simelane said South Africa’s urban development trajectory reflects both significant gains and persistent structural challenges rooted in the country’s spatial legacy.

The country’s Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF), adopted in 2016 ahead of the global United Nations New Urban Agenda, serves as the government’s primary macro-policy for managing urbanisation. The policy also includes provisions for spatial transformation aimed at addressing the historical injustices caused by the racial segregation in the country.

At the time the New Urban Agenda was adopted, South Africa was over 60% urbanised. Recent data indicates that this figure has grown to 68.82%, and it is projected to reach 71.3% by 2030. Urbanisation is undeniably an irreversible trend,” Simelane said.

Despite this growth, the Minister acknowledged that South African cities continue to face entrenched inequality, with many residents still living far from economic opportunities due to historic patterns of racial segregation.

Urbanisation has also intensified pressures on municipalities, contributing to challenges in basic services delivery, infrastructure backlogs, and overburdened municipal governance systems, which remain defining characteristics of South African cities.

Simelane noted that cities are increasingly required to balance expanding infrastructure networks with the maintenance and upgrading of existing assets, often under tight fiscal constraints and institutional limitations.

However, she said government has made steady progress, guided by the Constitution, the National Development Plan, and frameworks such as the District Development Model. These are aligned with continental and global commitments, including the African Union Agenda 2063 and regional development strategies.

The Minister also highlighted the broader global context impacting urban development, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, geopolitical tensions, and rising inequality and unemployment.

“These circumstances have significantly increased demand for essential services, including housing, health, education, water, and sanitation, while placing considerable pressure on public resources and the state’s capacity to provide timely interventions to address these urban challenges,” the Minister said.

In response, she said government is reviewing key policy frameworks, including the IUDF implementation plan and the White Paper on Human Settlements, while also undertaking reforms to local government policy to strengthen service delivery and institutional capacity.

“A major priority is addressing informal settlements, particularly those located in high-risk or disaster-prone areas. Cabinet has mandated the department of Human Settlements to develop a strategy to address the construction of informal structures in dangerous, disaster-prone locations, including medium- to long- term solutions for Temporary Residential Units (TRUs). This includes accelerating the transformation of informal settlements and slums,” Simelane said.

Simelane said collaboration remains central to achieving sustainable urban transformation.

South Africa has hosted two National Urban Forum sessions in 2024 and 2025, bringing together stakeholders to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 on sustainable cities.

These engagements have emphasised strengthening governance, improving access to development finance for municipalities, building technical skills, advancing climate resilience, and fostering partnerships with the private sector and communities.

The Minister also pointed to the growing importance of intermediate cities in South Africa’s urban system. These municipalities play a critical role in linking metropolitan areas with rural economies but often lack the institutional and financial capacity of larger cities.

She stressed that urbanisation must be actively governed through evidence-based planning, stronger coordination across all spheres of government, and meaningful community participation. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says a cut-off, low-pressure system is expected to influence the central and western interior of South Africa from Tuesday into Wednesday. 

“As the system develops over the interior, it is expected to result in a noticeable drop in daytime temperatures, accompanied by isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers across several provinces,” the weather service said.

Residents are advised to prepare for cooler conditions, cloudy skies, windy periods, and rain.

Meanwhile, SAWS issued a yellow level 2 warning for damaging coastal winds, which are expected to make navigation at sea difficult, from Monday evening into Tuesday, between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas. 

The weather outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday shows cloudy and cold conditions are expected in the west, with scattered showers and thundershowers possible. 

Otherwise, partly cloudy and cool with isolated showers and thundershowers. –SAnews.gov.za

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National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have extended the deadline for public comments on the draft Capital Flow Management Regulations, 2026, to the end of June. 

In a joint statement, the two institutions said the extension followed requests from stakeholders for more time to review the draft regulations and provide input.

The statement noted that public concerns and media attention have largely focused on the treatment, possession and trade of crypto assets, particularly possible restrictions on cross-border transactions.

Government said the draft regulations are intended to strengthen the authorities’ ability to detect, deter and disrupt illicit financial flows.

Authorities also assured the public that the proposed framework will complement existing regulatory measures already implemented by the Financial Intelligence Centre and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.

“The draft regulations do not intend to criminalise the possession of crypto assets or apply the regulations retrospectively,” the statement said.

Government added that a proposed cross-border crypto asset framework, in the form of a draft manual, will soon be released for public comment to support the draft regulations.

The draft manual is expected to clarify which crypto asset activities would be regarded as cross-border transactions and therefore fall under capital flow management measures.

It will also outline the obligations and responsibilities of authorised crypto asset service providers.

According to the statement, the proposed framework is intended to allow lawful cross-border crypto asset transactions within clear guidelines, while protecting the integrity of the financial system.

“The Constitution protects various rights, including property rights, while also recognising that suspected illicit activities warrant the attention of authorities,” the statement said.

Government also dismissed concerns that holders of crypto assets, gold or foreign currency, could be forced to sell these assets to the State or authorised foreign exchange dealers.

“Any requirement to dispose of these assets would arise only under limited circumstances, such as where an offence has been committed,” the statement said.

It added that exchange control exemptions and relaxations introduced over the years already allow South Africans to legally externalise capital for foreign investment diversification and to hold foreign assets in various forms.

The draft regulations, published on 17 April 2026, are available on the National Treasury website.

The original deadline for public comments was 18 May 2026, but this has now been extended to 30 June 2026. The extension notice will be gazetted in due course.

Written comments must be submitted to the National Treasury at Commentdraftlegislation@treasury.gov.za by close of business on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

After the deadline, the National Treasury and the SARB will review submissions and make any necessary revisions. – SAnews.gov.za

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