NEWS: Andhra Pradesh signed an MoU with UN-Habitat to promote inclusive and sustainable urban development, including the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Urban Affairs in Amaravati under SURGE AP, RISE AP, and UPLIFT AP initiatives.
ABOUT
- UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) is the UN agency mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities.
- Established: 1978, following the Habitat I Conference (1976, Vancouver, Canada).
- Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.
GOVERNANCE
- UN-Habitat Assembly is the governing body comprising all 193 UN Member States.
- Meets every four years.
KEY INITIATIVES
- World Cities Report
- Global Urban Observatory
- New Urban Agenda (Adopted at Habitat III, Quito, Ecuador, 2016)
- Strategic Plan 2026–2029 for integrated and sustainable urban development.
ROLE & FUNCTIONS
- Promotes inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities (aligned with SDG 11).
- Supports urban planning, affordable housing, climate resilience, and reduction of poverty and inequality.
- Works with governments, local bodies, and stakeholders to improve urban governance.
URBAN OCTOBER
- Begins with World Habitat Day (First Monday of October).
- Ends with World Cities Day (31 October).