The World Urban Forum (WUF) was established in 2001 by the United Nations to address one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.

Convened by UN-Habitat, the Forum is a high level, open and inclusive platform for addressing the challenges of sustainable urbanization.

The World Urban Forum has the following objectives:

• Raising awareness of sustainable urbanization among stakeholders and constituencies, including the general public;
• Improving collective knowledge on sustainable urban development through open and inclusive debate, exchange of best practices and policies, and sharing of lessons learnt.
• Promote collaboration and cooperation between different stakeholders and constituencies engaged in the advancement and implementation of sustainable urbanization.

This is the Eleventh Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF11) and the first time that it is being held in eastern Europe. Katowice was chosen as a city that has transitioned successfully from a heavy industrial centre into a hub of technology, culture and events.