UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS CONCLUDES EIGHTEENTH SESSION ENDORSES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CALL TO STRENGHTHEN CENTRE

UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS CONCLUDES EIGHTEENTH SESSION

ENDORSES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CALL TO STRENGHTHEN CENTRE

NAIROBI, 16 February (Habitat) -- Habitat’s work programme and budget of nearly $24 million for the biennium 2002-2003 was approved by the eighteenth session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements.  The Commission also authorized the Executive Director, Anna Tibaijuka, to make additional commitments up to $31.7 million depending on the availability of additional resources.  This is a substantial increase in the budget for the biennium

2001-2002.  

“By accepting the proposed increase in the Foundation budget and the work programme, the Commission has sent an important signal.  Habitat needs to be strengthened if it is to act effectively as the United Nations system-wide focal point for the implementation and monitoring of the Habitat Agenda,” said Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka.  

The Commission on Human Settlements acts as the governing body of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and is composed of 58 States.  The Commission met from 12 to 16 February in Nairobi at the Centre headquarters.

“We welcome the decision of the Secretary-General to appoint a full-time Executive Director, and we are honoured to have the new Executive Director, Anna Tibaijuka attend her first Commission meeting,” said Sid-Ali Ketrandji, the Chairman of the eighteenth session.  “We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

The eighteenth session welcomed the measures taken by the new Executive Director to continue the process of revitalization and endorsed her decision to further refine the organizational structure.

Habitat’s work programme for the next biennium 2002-2003 was also fully endorsed by the Commission.  Apart from continuing with the normative goals of the two campaigns on Security of Tenure and Urban Governance established by the new strategic vision, the Centre is expected to match this advocacy work with increased follow-up operational activities.  The Executive Director is also requested to take a leadership and coordinating role in the Cities Alliance Initiative which is expected to implement the “Cities without Slums” programme of action adopted last year by the Millennium Assembly.  The new work programme also calls upon the Centre to prepare the Global Report on Human Settlements and the State of the World’s Cities Report on a biennial basis, in order to raise

awareness of human settlements issues and to provide information on urban conditions and trends around the world.

Apart from the work programme, many resolutions endorsed the role of the Centre in meeting the twin goals of the Habitat Agenda:  adequate shelter for all; and sustainable human settlements development.  In a special resolution on the two campaigns on Secure Tenure and Urban Governance, the Commission noted with appreciation the recent launches of the campaigns.  Governments were called upon to support the Inclusive Cities Initiative as a means of advocacy and capacity-building.  They were also called upon to develop actions at the national and local level to provide equal access to land for all people, including women and those living in poverty.  Governments were called upon to promote security of residential tenure in line with the guidelines presented by Habitat.  It was also recommended that the Executive Director strengthen the legal capacities of Habitat so that it can provide technical assistance on human settlements legislation.

The role of local authorities and other Habitat Agenda partners was fully endorsed by the Commission.  The Executive Director was called upon to organize a global dialogue on decentralization and local authorities with government representatives.  Governments were also called upon to support international, regional and national associations and networks of local authorities, including the Advisory Committee of Local Authorities, so that they can better support the work of the Commission and Habitat.  Habitat was also encouraged to continue working in partnership with other United Nations agencies.  In this respect, the Commission welcomed Habitat’s joint activities with the United Nations Environment Programme.

The many different decisions and resolutions that were passed by the eighteenth session shared one thing in common, the goal of strengthening Habitat so that it can be more effective in helping governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and other civil society partners improve the living environment in cities, towns and villages.

“In passing these resolutions, and in committing extra funds towards the strengthening of the Centre, the Commission has given Habitat a much needed boost. Habitat is now poised to take on the challenges of human settlements development. I look forward to working with the Commission to ensure that Habitat will be a Centre of excellence on urbanization and human settlements issues,” said Mrs. Tibaijuka.

For further information, please contact:  Sharad Shankardass or Zahra A. Hassan, Media & Press Relations Unit, UNCHS (Habitat, Tel:  624153; 623151, Fax: 624060; E-mail:  habitat.press@unchs.org, Web site:  www.unchs.org.

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