India has recently been elected to the Executive Board of the inaugural UN-Habitat Assembly. This appointment took place during the Plenary Session of the Assembly, which is conveniently located in Nairobi. The theme of this assembly: “Innovation for Better Quality of Life in Cities and Communities”, puts forth an important agenda for the future of human settlements.
About The UN-Habitat Assembly and Its Mission
The UN-Habitat is a special initiative by the United Nations that focuses on creating a healthier urban future for all. It was established by the UN General Assembly in 1978 with the aim to effectively address the issues of rapid urban growth. The UN-Habitat operates with a clear understanding of the development processes of urban areas and the aspirations of their inhabitants. It works tirelessly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements where adequate shelter is available for everyone.
Contributions of Member Countries to the UN-Habitat Assembly
Member countries of the UN have contributed more than $152 million towards making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. A key focus is improving solid waste management in cities, towns, and communities.
Those who succeed in reducing their waste management expenditure are honored as ‘Waste-Wise Cities’. This initiative urges communities worldwide to rethink, reduce, recycle, refuse and reuse waste.
Strategy Plan for 2020-2025
The strategic plan for the UN human settlements programme spanning from 2020–2025 aims to use sustainable urbanisation as a catalyst for development and peace, thereby improving living conditions for all. Statements on efforts to promote the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and sustainable urban development were presented by participating nations.
| Country | National Policies and Practices |
|---|---|
| India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Rwanda and Uruguay | Presented an overview of the national policies and practices |
| Venezuela | Suggested considering social housing as an important public good |
| Korea | Highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and virtual reality technology to address urban problems |
About UN-Habitat
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, known as UN-Habitat, is a UN initiative for human settlements and sustainable urban development. It was established in 1978 following the First UN Conference on Human Settlements and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat I) held in Vancouver, Canada. The headquarters of UN-Habitat is at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Kenya. It is tasked by the United Nations General Assembly with the promotion of socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, aiming to provide adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is a member of the United Nations Development Group. Its mandate comes from the Habitat Agenda adopted in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1996. The twin goals of the Habitat Agenda are: to provide adequate shelter for all and to develop sustainable human settlements in an urbanizing world.
