United Nations Human Settlements Programme

United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Name	United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Abbreviation	UN-Habitat
Established	1978 (as UNCHS)
Type	Programme
Status	Active
Headquarters	Nairobi
Parent	United Nations Economic and Social Council
Website	unhabitat.org

United Nations Human Settlements Programme. It is the United Nations agency mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. The programme, known as UN-Habitat, was established in 1978 following the first United Nations Conference on Human Settlements in Vancouver. It works worldwide to achieve adequate shelter for all, improve urban governance, and reduce urban poverty.

History

The origins of the programme trace back to the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, which highlighted growing urban challenges. This led to the convening of Habitat I, the first United Nations Conference on Human Settlements, in Vancouver in 1976. The conference produced the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements and led to the creation of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements and its secretariat, initially named the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS). In 2002, the agency's mandate was strengthened and its status elevated to a full-fledged United Nations programme by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 56/206. This change reflected the growing international recognition of urbanization's critical role in global development, further underscored by the inclusion of Sustainable Development Goal 11 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mission and objectives

The core mission is to promote transformative change in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. Its primary objectives are derived from the Habitat Agenda, the New Urban Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Key aims include promoting sustainable urban development as a driver of prosperity, ensuring access to adequate housing and basic services for all, and enhancing inclusive and participatory urban planning and management. The programme seeks to build resilience in cities facing challenges from climate change, rapid urbanization, and conflict, while advocating for the realization of the right to adequate housing.

Structure and governance

The programme is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, at the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Its governing body is the United Nations Habitat Assembly, a universal body of member states that convenes every four years. A smaller, executive board called the Executive Board of UN-Habitat meets more frequently to provide strategic oversight. The day-to-day operations are led by an Executive Director of UN-Habitat, appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency maintains a network of regional and country offices, as well as liaison offices in cities like New York City and Geneva, to coordinate with other United Nations bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank.

Key activities and programmes

The agency implements a wide range of normative and operational activities. A flagship initiative is the World Urban Forum, a biennial conference co-organized with a host government, such as Poland for the 2022 forum in Katowice. It runs technical cooperation programmes like the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme and the Cities and Climate Change Initiative. The programme also supports national urban policies, provides post-crisis and post-disaster rehabilitation support in places like Haiti and Syria, and promotes sustainable urban mobility and waste management. It plays a key role in monitoring progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 11 through tools like the City Prosperity Index.

Publications and reports

The programme is a leading global publisher on urban issues. Its most prominent publication is the biennial World Cities Report, which provides analysis of global urbanization trends. Other major reports include the Global Report on Human Settlements and the annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda. It also produces thematic studies, policy guides, and the Urban Lexicon series. These publications are often launched at major global events like the World Urban Forum or the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Partnerships and funding

Implementation relies on strategic partnerships and voluntary funding. It collaborates closely with member states, local authorities represented by networks like United Cities and Local Governments, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Key financial contributors include governments of Sweden, Norway, the European Union, and Japan. The programme also manages multi-donor trust funds, such as the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation fund, and partners with philanthropic organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation on specific initiatives.

Category:United Nations Human Settlements Programme Category:United Nations development agencies Category:Organizations based in Nairobi Category:1978 establishments