Executive Overview
Mother Care 4 Hope Outreach (MOCAHO) proudly participated in the General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP) convened within the framework of the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. The Assembly represented one of the most significant civil society coordination mechanisms operating alongside WUF13 and brought together leading organizations, development practitioners, policymakers, multilateral institutions, and community actors from across the Global South.
MOCAHO was represented through its national branches and international leadership, reflecting the organization’s expanding role within global sustainable development, community resilience, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and grassroots empowerment initiatives.
Participation followed an invitation extended through WUF13 stakeholder engagement processes and provided MOCAHO with an important platform to contribute to international discussions shaping the future of sustainable urban development and community-centered governance.
Event Details
• Event: Global South NGO Platform (GSNP) General Assembly
• Host Platform: 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13)
• Venue: Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan
• GSNP Assembly Date: 14 May 2026
• WUF13 Programme Dates: 10–22 May 2026
• Global Theme: Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities
• Convening Organizations: UN-Habitat, Global South NGO Platform, International Development Partners and Civil Society Stakeholders
The Forum attracted thousands of participants from governments, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, academia, development finance institutions, local authorities, private-sector entities, youth networks, and community-based organizations from every region of the world.
Institutional Engagement and Multilateral Dialogue
The General Assembly served as a high-level platform for strategic consultation, policy dialogue, stakeholder coordination, and partnership development among civil society actors working across the Global South.
MOCAHO participated in:
• High-Level Stakeholder Consultations.
• Civil Society Coordination Meetings.
• Sustainable Urban Development Dialogues.
• Community Resilience Forums.
• Partnership Development Sessions.
• Knowledge Exchange Platforms.
• SDG Localization Discussions.
• Inclusive Governance Consultations.
• Multi-Stakeholder Roundtables.
• Community-Led Development Forums.
These engagements enabled MOCAHO to exchange practical experiences, present community-driven approaches, and contribute perspectives derived from grassroots implementation across its operational regions.
Sustainable Urbanization and Resilient Communities
A central focus of the Assembly was the advancement of sustainable urbanization strategies capable of addressing growing challenges associated with housing, urban resilience, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and demographic transformation.
MOCAHO actively engaged in discussions concerning:
• Inclusive Urban Governance.
• Affordable and Sustainable Housing Systems.
• Climate-Resilient Communities.
• Urban Adaptation and Risk Reduction.
• Community-Based Planning Mechanisms.
• Sustainable Infrastructure Development.
• Social Protection within Urban Settings.
• Localized Resilience Frameworks.
Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening cooperation between civil society organizations and local authorities to improve implementation of the New Urban Agenda and relevant Sustainable Development Goals.
Global South Cooperation and NGO Solidarity
The GSNP General Assembly provided an important opportunity for strengthening institutional cooperation among organizations operating across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific regions.
MOCAHO supported discussions aimed at:
• Enhancing South-South Cooperation.
• Expanding Technical Knowledge Sharing.
• Strengthening Civil Society Networks.
• Facilitating Resource Mobilization Partnerships.
• Promoting Community-Centered Development Models.
• Encouraging Collaborative Advocacy Initiatives.
• Building Institutional Capacity Across NGOs.
The Assembly reaffirmed the importance of collective action in addressing shared development challenges facing vulnerable communities throughout the Global South.
Community Safety, Inclusion and Social Resilience
Throughout the Forum, considerable attention was dedicated to developing innovative approaches for building safer, more inclusive, and resilient communities.
MOCAHO participated in thematic discussions relating to:
• Protection of Vulnerable Populations.
• Gender-Responsive Urban Development.
• Social Inclusion and Equity.
• Community Safety Frameworks.
• Youth Empowerment and Participation.
• Grassroots Development Solutions.
• Local Resilience Building Mechanisms.
• Sustainable Community Governance.
These discussions closely aligned with MOCAHO’s institutional mission of empowering vulnerable individuals, strengthening community structures, and promoting sustainable social development.
Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals
Participation in WUF13 and the GSNP General Assembly directly contributed to MOCAHO’s work advancing:
• SDG 1 – No Poverty.
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action.
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
The Forum highlighted the growing importance of integrating social, environmental, economic, and governance dimensions within urban development planning and implementation.
Strategic Outcomes and Institutional Impact
Through its active participation, MOCAHO successfully strengthened relationships with international stakeholders, civil society networks, development practitioners, and policy actors working at local, national, regional, and global levels.
The organization:
• Expanded its international partnership network.
• Engaged with leading urban development experts.
• Contributed grassroots perspectives to policy discussions.
• Explored opportunities for collaborative programming and advocacy.
• Strengthened its visibility within global sustainable development platforms.
• Reinforced its commitment to inclusive and resilient community development.
Looking Forward
MOCAHO’s participation at the Global South NGO Platform General Assembly during WUF13 represented a significant milestone in the organization’s expanding international engagement. The Assembly provided valuable opportunities to advance dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to collective efforts aimed at building safer, more inclusive, and climate-resilient communities.