Habitat for Humanity leads efforts to ensure New Urban Agenda prioritizes housing
Representatives will engage with world leaders at final preparatory session for UN’s Habitat III conference
SURABAYA, INDONESIA (July 26, 2016) – Habitat for Humanity, as the lead representative of civil society organizations, will join world leaders this week for the third and final session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom 3) for Habitat III, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development. Habitat for Humanity has played an integral role throughout the development of the New Urban Agenda, an outcome document that will define the UN’s global urban strategy for the next 20 years. As negotiations take place this week, Habitat aims to influence policymakers to take an informed and effective approach to the growing challenge of urbanization.
“The United Nations forecasts that by 2050, 66 percent of the global population will live in cities – up from 54 percent in 2015 – making Habitat III a critical opportunity to address the current and future impact of urbanization,” said Jane Katz, director of International Affairs and Programs at Habitat for Humanity International. “While urbanization can pose challenges, cities are also the engines of economic growth and provide opportunities for better health, schools, access to basic services and infrastructure. The New Urban Agenda must be a measurable, forward-looking and action-oriented document, providing guidance and next steps for cities throughout the world. We look forward to working with Member States to ensure key elements addressing global housing challenges remain or are strengthened at PrepCom 3 and beyond.”
To effectively address urbanization, Habitat recommends that four key components must be included in the New Urban Agenda: emphasize the need for adequate and affordable housing; prioritize security of land tenure; promote community-led development; and set specific and accountable measures.
“Rapid urbanization and slum growth mean billions of people globally will be denied adequate homes in the future, unless we act now. The New Urban Agenda will set the global urbanization strategy for the next two decades, and increasing access to affordable housing must become a priority in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president for Habitat for Humanity.
Representatives from Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity Philippines and Habitat for Humanity India will present during PrepCom 3 on the following topics:
- Inclusive and Equitable Housing Strategies for All, with a focus on gender, youth, older persons;
- Land and Housing at the Core of the New Habitat Agenda: Recommendations and Key Messages;
- Key Areas for Implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
The final draft of the New Urban Agenda will be announced during UN’s Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador, October 17-20. Bringing together 193 countries that will renew their commitment to sustainable urban development, Habitat III will draw world leaders who are UN members; representatives from civil society organizations, governments and municipalities, women and youth groups, and trade unions; members of the private sector; and professionals from academia and foundations.
Leading up to the global conference in Quito, Habitat for Humanity has played a central role by co-chairing the civil society working group in the World Urban Campaign’s General Assembly of Partners; co-leading the housing expert working group (“policy unit”) established by the United Nations and issuing a new comprehensive report outlining a strategic approach to ensure more affordable, adequate and safe housing worldwide; participating in regional and thematic meetings and contributing to their outcome documents; hosting “Urban Thinkers’ Campuses,” interactive dialogues promoted by the World Urban Campaign; and contributing to national Habitat III reports prepared by individual countries, including serving on the U.S. National Committee and presenting at the U.S. regional meeting in Denver, Colorado hosted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.