UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

In 2023, the earthquakes in western Afghanistan disrupted schooling for thousands of children, damaging classrooms and interrupting the learning environments they rely on for safety, growth, and stability. For Sunbul and hundreds of other students, the earthquake left them without safe spaces to learn or the comfort of a normal school day. With classrooms in ruins and no safe toilets or drinking water taps, continuing to learn became almost impossible. To support recovery efforts, UN-Habitat, with funding from the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), launched a school rehabilitation project in Herat. The initiative repaired eight earthquake-damaged schools and began construction of six new ones, providing safer learning spaces for more than 16,800 students every year. Learn more about the project: https://loom.ly/Txn73oc.

📢 Save the Date | ISOCARP #WPC2025   Join us in Riyadh for our special session Quality of Life in Cities: A Unifying Lens for Sustainable Urban Futures 🗓 2 December 2025 🕘 09:00–11:30 📍 ISOCARP World Planning Congress   As cities navigate complex and interconnected challenges, #QualityOfLife offers a powerful and unifying lens for planning, governance and investment.   During this 2.5-hour session, we will explore how cities can apply this lens across agendas such as climate resilience, cultural identity, neighbourhood regeneration and territorial planning.   Our programme features two core sessions: 🔹 Part 1: Conceptualising Quality of Life and Insights from the Initiative A deep dive into the Quality of Life Initiative, the Index and new findings emerging from pilot cities. (Mark your calendar: https://lnkd.in/dyWANZ_V)   🔹 Part 2: Innovative Tools for Measuring and Monitoring Quality of Life in Cities A technical workshop on Index methodology and practical applications for planners and practitioners. (Mark your calendar: https://lnkd.in/dCFA3Hcq)   We look forward to welcoming urban professionals, policymakers and partners for an engaging exchange at ISOCARP - International Society of City and Regional Planners.   More details soon!

Apply to host your #WUF13 partner-led event by 27 January 2026! See you in Baku!

Will your city be next? Good news! UN-Habitat has extended the call for countries to host the global observances of World Habitat Day to 28th February 2026. These flagship events offer a unique platform to showcase national achievements, highlight innovative urban solutions and contribute to the global conversation on sustainable urbanization. The 2026 theme, "Adequate Housing for All," will spotlight solutions to the global housing crisis, affecting 2.8 billion people worldwide. 🔹 Why host? Gain international visibility, inspire change and shape the future of urban development. 🔹 Who is eligible? Governments ready to lead the conversation on sustainable cities. 📅 Submit your application today: https://loom.ly/VnvAgrs #UrbanOctober #WorldHabitatDay #AdequateHousing

Digital violence influences who can participate, lead, and truly belong in our future cities. When digital transformation ignores intersectionality and gender-based exclusions, it deepens existing divides. But when it centers people, including women and girls in their diversity, it becomes a tool for equality and justice. Cities must treat digital safety for women and girls as urban safety. They must design infrastructure that protects rights, not just data. UN-Habitat calls for putting human rights, equality and inclusion at the heart of the urban digital transformation. That means: 🔹 Designing digital infrastructure that protects privacy and dignity 🔹 Ensuring access to affordable internet, devices, and skills 🔹 Building inclusive governance that reflects diverse voices 🔹 Addressing digital violence as a barrier to urban participation Digital inclusion is not optional, it’s essential to building our future cities. Learn more here: https://loom.ly/h3X6Nw0 #16Days

The third session of the Executive Board has officially concluded in Nairobi. Over two days, Member States provided clear guidance across the full spectrum of UN-Habitat’s work—from normative leadership and operational delivery, to preparations for the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, the World Urban Forum, and the New Urban Agenda midterm review. Delegations also reflected on a rapidly shifting global landscape: tightening fiscal environments, unpredictable funding streams, and growing pressures on cities facing conflict, displacement, climate shocks and the global housing crisis. The Board underscored the importance of predictable core resources, strengthened accountability, and a balanced approach between normative and programmatic work. The Executive Board adopted resolutions covering: 🔷 Financial, budgetary and administrative matters, including the 2026 work programme and budget 🔷 Implementation of normative and operational activities and reporting on 2025 delivery 🔷 The 2026 workplan and methods of work of the Executive Board. In her closing remarks, Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach recognized cooperation and welcomed the Board’s direction, noting: “Today’s session has once again shown that UN-Habitat is strongest when it stands on three pillars: political partnership, technical credibility, and collective responsibility for our shared urban future.” The Executive Director highlighted the organization’s efforts to position housing and sustainable urbanization at the heart of global political, development and climate agendas—from COP30, to the General Assembly, HLPF, and other major global forums. She also reiterated that resource mobilization, diversification of partnerships, and Member State ownership will be central to delivering the new Strategic Plan. Our sincere appreciation to all Member States, the Executive Board, and UN-Habitat staff for their commitment. We look forward to continuing this collective work as we prepare for a pivotal year in 2026. More on the sessions: https://loom.ly/0JY7o_g

Today we recognize how transport shapes our cities and our future. Around the world, communities are rethinking mobility to make it cleaner, safer, and more inclusive for everyone. Sustainable transport is not only about reducing emission, it is about improving daily life. It means cities where people can move freely, breathe cleaner air, and rely on systems that work for all ages and abilities. From redesigning streets to support active mobility, to expanding reliable public transport, to scaling up clean technologies, countries and cities are showing that a better model is possible. The Avoid–Shift–Improve framework shows how to: 🔴AVOID unnecessary trips: Compact planning and better digital access reduce long, polluting journeys. 🚴SHIFT to sustainable modes: Walking, cycling, and public transport cut emissions while improving health and safety. 🚇IMPROVE transport technology: Cleaner engines, electric fleets, and smart systems make every trip more efficient. On #WorldSustainableTransportDay, we celebrate the progress made and call for renewed commitment to building mobility systems that protect the planet, strengthen communities, and leave no one behind.

Day 1 of the third session of the UN-Habitat Executive Board concluded with a strong collective call for renewed political will, predictable financing, and faster, coordinated action to confront the world’s deepening housing and urban crises. The day opened with Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya Sebastian Groth underscoring the Board’s responsibility in guiding UN-Habitat’s strategic direction. Building on this, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach set the tone for the session with a strong emphasis on safeguarding UN-Habitat’s normative mandate, while advancing reforms under the UN80 vision. Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development of Kenya, Alice Wahome reinforced this momentum, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to adequate housing, slum upgrading, and accelerating progress toward the 2030 Agenda. The session also featured discussions on governance and programs, with the Ad Hoc Working Group updating on finances, the 2026 work programme, and the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, while the Adequate Housing Working Group shared progress on housing rights and key recommendations. Complementing the Board’s deliberations, a joint media briefing by UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan provided updates on preparations for WUF13 (17–22 May 2026, Baku). With the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” the Forum will act as a major global checkpoint for the New Urban Agenda, offering stakeholders a platform to discuss global issues. As deliberations resume today, Member States and UN-Habitat will continue shaping the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, deepening governance and financing deliberations, and advancing the global agenda on adequate housing and sustainable urban development. Read more on the Daily Journal: https://loom.ly/eiY4yWk

On the sidelines of the third session of the Executive Board in Nairobi, UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan briefed media on the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled for 17–22 May 2026 in Baku. With the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” WUF13 will serve as a global checkpoint for the New Urban Agenda, assessing progress on sustainable urban development and #SDG11. Highlighting the urgency of the global housing crisis, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach stated, “In this global context, #WUF13 is more than a conference; it is a checkpoint for the #NewUrbanAgenda and SDG11. It will allow Member States and partners to take stock of commitments, identify gaps, and shape global priorities for the decade ahead, especially to tackle the global housing crisis which is interacting with the climate crisis.” Anar Guliyev, Chairman of State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and World Urban Forum National Coordinator, briefed on the host country’s preparations, noting that “Preparations for WUF13 are advancing at full speed. We are coordinating across all organizational, logistical, and operational areas to deliver a world-class Forum grounded in sustainability, accessibility, and security.” Over six days, the forum will bring together governments, mayors, civil society, academia, and the private sector for 300+ events, including high-level dialogues, ministerial meetings, and the Urban Expo. Ultimately, outcomes from WUF13, including the Baku Call to Action, will guide global priorities for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities for the decade ahead. Read more: https://loom.ly/K6IAXt4