2024-07-27 12:26:02
The assembly, which runs until June 9, will focus on issues such as affordable housing, urban climate action, responding to urban crises, local action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and financing sustainable urban development.
In an opening address, Kenyan President William Ruto noted that the world is emerging from a devastating pandemic, while grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis, fuelled by geopolitical tensions, noting that this assembly is an opportunity to consult and explore new perspectives on the safety, resilience and sustainability of human settlements, as stipulated in SDG 11.
For her part, UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif observed that “the challenge ahead is enormous,” saying multilateralism is essential for positive and transformative impact on the ground.
“We need Member States to prioritize national and local cooperation as the basis for a just transition,” she noted, emphasizing human rights and the UN Charter as the basis for sustainable urbanization.
Morocco is represented at this event by a large delegation led by the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Land Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy – Department of Housing and Urban Policy, Youssef Hosni and composed in particular of the Secretary General of the National Housing Council Mohamed Hardouza, the Director of Urban Planning Badria Benjelloun, the Director of Real Estate Promotion Hind Benzha and the Director of Communication, Cooperation and Information Systems Badiaa Gueroui.
The Moroccan delegation also includes the head of department within the Housing Department Amal Lamssitef, the director of the Agadir Urban Agency Amine Belkacemi, as well as the head of the United Nations Development System division within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad Anas Alami Hamedane.
The Moroccan delegation plans to actively participate in this international event by taking part in the plenary session and various events on the sidelines of the assembly, as well as by organizing a side-event on the Moroccan experience in social housing.
According to the organizers, this 2nd session of the UN-Habitat Assembly is an opportunity to launch a call for sustainable urban development and effective multilateralism to create more livable, sustainable and resilient cities in order to emerge stronger from crises.
Held under the theme “A Sustainable Urban Future through Inclusive and Effective Multilateralism: Achieving the SDGs in Times of Global Crisis”, this session brings together nearly 5,000 participants, including over 30 ministers, in addition to senior global officials and experts, to discuss global urban policies and promote inclusive and transformative multilateralism.
It will provide a platform for Member States and stakeholders to share their views and adopt guidelines and recommendations to move forward towards achieving sustainable urban development.
The five-day programme includes a high-level dialogue of heads of state, thematic debates and dialogues focusing on universal access to affordable housing, urban climate action, recovery from urban crises, localization of the SDGs, prosperity and local finance.
More than 30 side events will showcase innovative approaches and transformative actions related to the field of habitat, while an exhibition area will allow more than 50 exhibitors to present best practices in the field of habitat and sustainability, urban projects and cutting-edge solutions to address the challenges of housing, transport, energy and climate change.
2024-07-27 12:26:02