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News

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UN-HABITAT and BASF Foundation to set up energy centre in a Mozambican slum
	Nairobi, 30 Dec 11 UN-HABITAT will collaborate with the municipality of Beira and the BASF Social Foundation to improve living conditions of slum dwellers in Munhava slum, in the city of Beira, building a Multifunctional Clean Energy Centre (MCEC).


UN-HABITAT and partners in water laboratories iniative in India
	Mangalore, India , 28 Dec 11 As part of the project “Promotion of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Education and Water Quality Monitoring in Mangalore City, India”, water quality testing laboratories are being jointly established by the German company BASF, UN-HABITAT and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in eight schools in Mangalore.


New UN-HABITAT initiative brings people’s perspective to green urban development
	Nairobi, 23 Dec 11 In an effort to bring a more inclusive approach to green housing provision UN-Habitat has launched i-HOUSE


President hails Bangladesh Urban Forum
	Dhaka, 7 Dec 11 President Zillur Rahman of Bangladesh opened the country's first urban forum this week at a ceremony addressed by a range of top officials.


A prestigious award for UN-HABITAT staff photographer
	Durban, South Africa, 7 Dec 11 UN-HABITAT’s staff photographer, Mr. Julius Mwelu, this week was announced the winner of the Connect4Climate (C4C) photographic award at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.


UN-HABITAT supports Youth and Environmentally Friendly Cities
	Nairobi, 1 Dec 11 At the United Nations in Nairobi, Globetree, an international children's organization promoting children's meaningful engagement in the urban environment, hosted in partnership with UN-HABITAT and UNEP the anniversary celebration of the organization by presenting a play entitled "My Life" or "Maisha Yangu".


Better transport for better cities
	Brussels, 30 Nov 11 The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and UN-HABITAT have joined hands to help improve urban mobility in cities around the world many of which are growing increasingly polluted by vehicle exchaust often because of poor public transport.


Partnering with India as One United Nations
	New Delhi, 28 Nov 11 UN-HABITAT has joined 19 other agencies of the United Nations in a new 2013-2017 United Nations Development Action Framework (UNDAF) for India.


UN-HABITAT staffer elected Nairobi Staff Union President
	Nairobi, 24 Nov 11 UN-HABITAT staff member James Ohayo was on Wednesday elected the new President of the Nairobi Staff Union for the period 2011-2013. Mr. Ohayo who is a Communications Officer with the Water, Sanitation and Infrastructure Branch beat a field of six to emerge the winner after a 24 hour voting that started on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday morning.


Safer cities, safer lives: no more child soldiers in Somalia
	Mogadishu, 24 Nov 11 In a rare visit to the Somali capital by a senior United Nations official, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, announced on Thursday that she had secured a commitment from the Prime Minister and President of Somalia to end the recruitment of children by the Transitional Federal Government.


UN-HABITAT, Iran in new cooperation
	Tehran, 21 Nov 11 UN-HABITAT has agreed with the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran on a strategic framework of co-operation for the coming four years.


New Permanent Representative of Republic of Benin presents credentials to Executive Director of UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, 18 Nov 11 Dr. Ferdinand Montcho, the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin to UN-Habitat, presented his credentials to Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat on 09 November 2011.


UN-HABITAT and partners unveil a new youth initiative
	Frankfurt/Main, 17 Nov 11 In collaboration with German partners, UN-HABITAT has unveiled a new initiative aimed at addressing youth employment and empowerment.


Flying the urban design flag at UNHQ
	New York, 15 Nov 11 UN-HABITAT has teamed up with the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum and the United Nations Academic Impact agency to stage a glittering urban design exhibition in the visitor’s lobby of the world body’s global headquarters.


UN-HABITAT extends support of water provision to 15 new cities in Eastern Africa
	Kisumu, 11 Nov 11 UN-HABITAT announced Friday it will be expanding its successful Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative to fifteen more cities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, with support of US$4.2 million from the African Development Bank.


Join us in quest for better cities, Clos tells students
	Nairobi, 8 Nov 11 UN-HABITAT Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos on Tuesday told students at the University of Nairobi that he considered universities as strategic partners in the quest for sustainable urban development.


Nordic funding to Enhance Resilience to Climate Change in Coastal Sri Lankan Cities
	Colombo, 4 Nov 11 To enhance resilience to climate change in coastal Sri Lankan cities, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) together with its national partners – the University of Moratuwa, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), Batticaloa Municipal Council (BMC) and Negombo Municipal Council (NMC), have initiated a new project titled “Climate Resilient Action Plans for Coastal Urban Areas, Sri Lanka (CCSL)”.


Second cycle of Rafik Hariri-UN-HABITAT award launched
	Jeddah, 4 Nov 11 The second cycle of the Rafik Hariri UN-Habitat Memorial Award has been launched, the steering committee announced last week.


Bukina Faso
	Nairobi, 3 Nov 11 Burkina Faso celebrated World Habitat Day for a whole month this year for the 26th time. Highlights includedthe broadcast of a documentary film on flooding, with posters around the capital, and a message by Mr. Yacouba Barry, Minister of Housing and Urbanism on climate change. A public convention was held during which a storm water project at the Bangr ' Wéogo city park in Ouagadougou was launched, thanks to funding of USD 12.6 million (XOF 6 billion) from the West African Development Bank. There were special events held for the homeless, architects, and the National Habitat Coalition.Lire la suite en français


Malawi holds its second National Urban Forum
	Lilongwe, 1 Nov 11 Malawi's Deputy Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Christopher Ngwira, officially opened the National Urban Forum in the capital Lilongwe to mark the start of a two-day meeting on city development in the country.


South Sudan mark first World Habitat Day
	Juba, 1 Nov 11 It was both tears and joy as the world's youngest nation celebrated its first ever World Habitat Day. This celebration comes at a time when newly independent South Sudan is embarking on reconstruction after years of stagnation and underdevelopment caused by a protracted civil war.


Two Sudans calls for cooperation
	Nairobi, 27 Oct 11 The two Sudans met in Nairobi a fortnight ago and agreed to enhance cooperation and promote mutual partnership for the good of the two neighbours since they became separate countries in July.


Booyoung group commits USD 3 million to UN-HABITAT
	Seoul, 27 Oct 11 UN-HABITAT said this week it had signed an agreement with the Booyoung Group of the Republic of Korea whereby the construction-centered corporation will provide the agency with USD 3 million over the next decade to promote urban development and habitat improvement in Africa.


New Delhi Mayor Welcomes “Mayor’s Urban Planning Quick Guide”
	New Delhi, 26 Oct 11 A meeting was held in New Delhi 20-21 October 2011 to discuss the preparation of a globally relevant guide on urban planning for mayors and elected local government officials.


Strong commitment on disaster risk in Myanmar
	Yangon, 25 Oct 11 Myanmar, a country prone to natural hazards, has shown positive progress in the areas of early warning, emergency preparedness and responses in recent years. Now, the Government is stepping up cooperation with global and regional partners to reach its long-term target of becoming a disaster resilient country.


UN-HABITAT holds International Meeting on Forced Evictions in Nairobi
	Nairobi, 24 Oct 11 More than 50 participants converged in Nairobi recently to exchange views, knowledge and ideas on the future role of UN-HABITAT with respect to preventing, monitoring and assessing the impact of forced evictions globally.


New Permanent Representative of Republic of Cuba presents credentials to Executive Director of UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, 24 Oct 11 Mr. Raul Rodriguez Ramos, the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cuba to UN-Habitat, presented his credentials to Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat on 24 October 2011.


Australian Government and UN-HABITAT project benefits 3,785 IDPs in Sri Lanka
	Kallaru, Sri Lanka , 24 Oct 11 The Australian Government, in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), has assisted 3,785 returnee families to reconstruct or repair their damaged houses in the districts of Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Killinochchi under the ‘Shelter Support to conflict Affected IDPs in Northern Sri Lanka’ Project.


Kenyan Youth on the Road to Rio +20
	Nairobi , 20 Oct 11 Kenyan youth representing 24 local NGOs working with young people came together last week to deliberate and provide input into the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20), to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 4-6, 2012.


Smarter Nairobi to respond to population explosion
	Nairobi, Kenya, 19 Oct 11 A Nairobi Smarter Cities round-table organized under the auspice of the IBM 'Smarter Cities Initiative' explored ways to prepare Nairobi for rapid urban growth, including intelligent transport systems.


New Permanent Representative of Republic of Finland presents credentials to Executive Director of UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, Kenya, 17 Oct 11 Ms. Sofie From-Emmersberger, the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Finland to UN-Habitat, presented his credentials to Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat on 7 October 2011.


Regional Exchange Forum for Municipalities on Slum Upgrading in Africa
	Dakar, 17 Oct 11 Thirty five participants drawn from various francophone countries from Africa recently gathered in Dakar Senegal to discuss slum upgrading issues. FRENCH


World Habitat Day celebrations in Lebanon
	Nairobi, 12 Oct 11 Lebanon marked World Habitat Day 2011 with a special conference on access to housing held under the auspices of the Minister of Social Affairs. The day-long event aimed to raise awareness and promote debate on pressing urban issues and challenges in Lebanon, particularly those related to access to housing.


Former Mayor of Kigali, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, New UN-HABITAT Deputy Executive Director
	New York, 11 Oct 11 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Ms. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira of the Republic of Rwanda as Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General for UN-HABITAT. She succeeds Ms. Inga Björk-Klevby in the position.


The World Habitat Day celebrations in Seychelles
	Seychelles, 11 Oct 11 The celebrations in Seychelles saw the President Mr. James Michael send a message. The head of state said his country has been a pioneer in pushing the Climate Change agenda at every opportunity that arises.


International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
	Nairobi, 10 Oct 11 Message by Dr. Joan Clos, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN-HABITAT Executive Director


New Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands presents credentials to Executive Director of UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, Kenya, 6 Oct 11 Mr. Joost Reintjes, the new Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to UN-Habitat, presented his credentials to Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat on 15 September 2011.


New Permanent Representative of the State of Israel presents credentials to Executive Director of UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, Kenya, 6 Oct 11 Mr. Gil Haskel, the new Permanent Representative of the State of Israel to UN-Habitat, presented his credentials to Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat on 15 September 2011.


Eyob Kahsai: our colleague in Eritrea
	Nairobi, 4 Oct 11 UN-HABITAT on Tuesday announced the sudden passing of our Habitat Programme Manager in the Eritrea. Eyob Kahsai, who has served since 2004, died on Saturday 1 October 2011.


The World Habitat Day celebrations in Juba
	Juba, 3 Oct 11 The World Habitat Day celebrations in Juba on 3 October 2011 kicked off with a 2 kilometer procession starting from the Ministry of Housing & Physical Planning offices to Hai Zandia informal settlement in Buluk area.


World Habitat Day celebrations in Thailand
	Thailand, 3 Oct 11 World Habitat Day was marked by a march to the United Nations building in Bangkok by some 2,000 slum dwellers supported by the Four Regions Slum Network (FRSN) and Leaders and Organizers of Community Organizations (LOCO) in Asia.


World Habitat Day ceremony draws thousands
	Aguascalientes, Mexico, 3 Oct 11 The City of Aguascalientes in Mexico on Monday led the global celebration of World Habitat Day 2011 – a year in which the message is about the huge influence of cities on climate change and its impacts on large population centres.


Fanfare as Kenya marks world habitat day
	Kisumu, Kenya , 3 Oct 11 Song and dance took centre stage as top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and ordinary people gathered at a sports ground in Kisumu to mark World Habitat Day.


The World Habitat Day celebrations in Laos
	Laos, 3 Oct 11 To mark the World Habitat Day 2011, representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and UN-HABITAT got together at an event held in the UN House in Vientiane on Monday 3rd of October. The purpose of the event was to reflect on this year's theme 'Cities and Climate Change' and what this means in the Laos context.


India to step up funding to UN-HABITAT
	New Delhi, 30 Sept 11 The Government of India this week said it would increase its funding to UN-HABITAT. The announcement was made after Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos held talks with Kumari Selja, India's Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture.


Assisting urban youth at risk in Latin America
	Barcelona, 29 Sept 11 UN-HABITAT joined the Government of Catalonia in Spain this week at a landmark conference aimed at helping create safer cities in Latin America by assisting urban youth at risk.


Big names sign up to new private sector advisory board
	Amsterdam, 28 Sept 11 The World Business Council for Sustainable Development, VEOLIA Environment, Nomadeis, BASF, This is Africa, Siemens, GDF-SUEZ, JAO Design International, ARUP, the PENN Institute for Urban Research, and the Financial Times joined UN-HABITAT in Amsteram earlier this month for the first meeting of the agency's new Urban Private Sector Advisory Board hosted by Arcadis.


Towards more sustainable urban mobility patterns
	Gangwon Province, Korea, 27 Sept 11 A one week training on urban mobility was recently held in Korea targeting Asian cities.


Mexico leads Global World Habitat Day Celebrations
	Nairobi, 27 Sept 11 The Global Observance of World Habitat Day this year will be held in Aguascalientes, Mexico on Monday 3 October.


National Observance of World Habitat Day in Kisumu
	Nairobi, 27 Sept 11 The World Habitat Day celebrations will be held at the Jomo Kenyatta Grounds in Kisumu on Monday 3 October 2011.


The passing of a giant – Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai
	Nairobi, Kenya, 26 Sept 11 The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai of Kenya, died overnight at a Nairobi hospital. Her organization, the Green Belt Movement, said Wangari had been undergoing cancer treatment. She was 71.


Housing for Africa
	Rabat, Morocco, 25 Sept 11 The 12 Bureau Members of the African Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (AMCHUD) are seeking the establishment of a permanent secretariat to be hosted by Kenya.


Water for Kenya slum residents
	Nairobi, Kenya, 23 Sept 11 UN-HABITAT and the embassy of Malta this week opened a new water supply and treatment plant to provide clean, affordable drinking water for some 4,000 people living in an informal settlement not far from the agency's global headquarters.


UN-HABITAT, partners hold consultative leadership workshop for Vietnamese Province
	Tam Ky, Vietnam , 21 Sept 11 A three day Consultative Leadership Workshop for the Quang Nam Provincial Development Strategy was recently held in Tam Ky City.


Regional exchange platform unveiled for ACP countries
	Accra, Ghana, 21 Sept 11 Cities participating in the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) will benefit from a series of regional exchange forums seen as a concrete step towards the actualization of repeated requests for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to tap into each other's potential and experience. FRENCH


Housing, shelter, climate change top Latin America, Caribbean agenda
	Asuncion, Paraguay, 19 Sept 11 Ministers and senior officials from Latin America and the Caribbean MINURVI group last week brought climate change and housing issues to the top of their agenda in preparation for a series of major international and regional meetings.


Port cities under the microscope
	Rotterdam, 15 Sept 11 Mayors and senior local government officials from Africa, Asia and Latin America gathered for the first “Shelter Academy” held 13-15 September 2011 held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.


Statement on the advisory group on forced evictions press conference
	Nairobi, Kenya, 14 Sept 11 UN-HABITAT has been approached by several media and journalists enquiring about the launching of a report produced for the Advisory Group on Forced Evictions to the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, known as AGFE on April 2009.


UN-HABITAT and UNODC release guidelines to help prevent crime in urban areas.
	Nairobi, Kenya, 14 Sept 11 Under the Safer Cities Program, UNODC and UNHABITAT have issued a handbook to help prevent crime in cities and towns.


UN-HABITAT signs new safer cities agreement with Myanmar
	Nay Pyi Daw, Myanmar, 12 Sept 11 UN-HABITAT this week signed a new safer cities agreement with the Union Government of Myanmar designed to provide disaster resilient and safer settlements in the southeast Asian nation.


The 2011 Scroll of Honour Award Winners
	Nairobi, 12 Sept 11 UN-HABITAT is pleased to announce the 2011 Habitat Scroll of Honour Awards to the following recipients. This is the most prestigious award given by the United Nations in recognition of work carried out in the field of human settlements development. The aim of the award is to honour individuals and institutions instrumental in improving the living conditions in urban centres around the world. For the first time, UN-HABITAT is recognising a set of good practices as well.


Secretary-General sorrow at Kenya explosion
	Nairobi, 12 Sept 11 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his sorrow and sympathy for the families of the victims of a petrol pipeline explosion in a dense Nairobi slum on Monday which claimed scores of lives and left many injured.


Promoting the World Urban Campaign
	Amsterdam, 12 Sept 11 ARCADIS, the international consulting and engineering company, has hosted UN-HABITATs 6th Steering Committee Meeting of the World Urban Campaign (WUC), in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.


World Urban Campaign Partner Arcadis to host steering committee meeting in Amsterdam
	Nairobi, 31 Aug 11 UN-HABITAT's partner, Arcadis will host the 6th Steering Committee Meeting of the World Urban Campaign between 6-8 September.


Habitat Partner University Initiative logo competition winner
	Nairobi, 29 Aug 11 A logo competition for the Initiative, instigated in partnership with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, resulted in a winner after much deliberation, thanks to jury members David Fortin from Montana State University, Fiona Jack from University of Auckland and Victor Mgendi and Jane Nyakairu from UN-HABITAT.


Global Meeting agrees on Habitat Partner University Initiative
	Nairobi, 26 Aug 11 UN-HABITAT in collaboration with the University of Westminster drew some 60 delegates to the first global workshop of the Habitat Partner University Initiative from 16 - 18 May 2011.


World water leaders press hard on water, sanitation goals
	Stockholm, 26 Aug 11 UN-Water, the Stockholm International Water Institute and their global partners have made an impassioned plea for water and sanitation to be provided to all by 2030.


Urban Youth Fund: Zanzibar Granted Organizations unveiled
	Zanzibar, 25 Aug 11 The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), together with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Ministry of Social Welfare Youth Women and Children Development Organized and Marked the International Youth Day


Aguascalientes, Mexico to host World Habitat Day
	Mexico City, 25 Aug 11 Mexico's Minister for Social Development (SEDESOL), Heriberto Félix Guerra, announced that Aguascalientes will host this year's global World Habitat Day celebrations.


Call for proposals issued - Strengthening Urban Climate Change Education
	Nairobi, 24 Aug 11 The Habitat Partner University Initiative and the Cities and Climate Change Initiative have issued a call for proposals: Strengthening Urban Climate Change Education - Module Development for the Cities and Climate Change Academy.


Land Actors to Meet to Strengthen Partnerships
	Nairobi, Kenya, 23 Aug 11 Key international and regional actors in the land sector will convene in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 to 16 November 2011 for the 4th regular Partners Meeting of the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN). The meeting will aim to further strengthen partnerships and contribute to pro-poor tool development and implementation in the land sector.


Lake Victoria Initiative launches Capacity Building Programme in Rwanda
	Kigali, 22 Aug 11 A capacity building programme for Rwanda, as part of the second phase of Lake Victoria Water Initiative, was officially launched at a Stakeholders Workshop in Kigali on August 11th, 2011.


UN-HABITAT launches country programme in Cuba
	Havana, 22 Aug 11 The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) last week established its first Country Programme 2011-2013 in Cuba.


World Water Week off to a roaring start
	Stockholm, 21 Aug 11 More than 2,500 participants have registered to take part in the 21st edition of the World Water Week that kicked off on Monday in Sweden.


President Museveni launches Youth Centre
	Arua, Uganda, 19 Aug 11 As part of activities to mark this year's International Youth Day celebrations, President Yoweri Museveni opened a Youth Centre in Arua town, in the northern part of the country.


Iranian city presents Local Agenda 21 report to UN-HABITAT
	Nairobi , 19 Aug 11 Officials from the Iranian city of Rafsanjani on Tuesday presented their Local Agenda 21 report to the UN-HABITAT Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos.


UN-HABITAT reaffirms commitment to youth empowerment
	Nairobi, 12 Aug 11 As the world marked this year's International Youth Day on Friday, UN-HABITAT reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the young people of the world.


Green spaces for Gaza
	Gaza City, Palestine, 10 Aug 11 UN-HABITAT said this week that a newly restored park in an area damaged during a 2009 Israeli raid had inspired the building of more green spaces in the Gaza Strip as local residents and the agencies working with them to build back better.


Improved environmental sanitation for Pakistani communities
	Islamabad, 2 Aug 11 A two year collaborative project by world beverage giant Coca Cola, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and UN-HABITAT is set to improve the lives of about 300 inhabitants of two coastal communities in Pakistan.


Opportunities for Integrating Land-Use and Transport Planning in Kenya’s New County System
	Nairobi, 12 Jul 11 With the passage of an new constitution last year, Kenya in on the threshold of many new changes especially in terms of planning processes, particularly decentralization of responsibilities.


Curtains come down on Asia-Pacific urban forum
	Bangkok, 11 Jul 11 More than 900 representatives from national and local governments, civil society and community based organizations, research and training institutes, the private sector and international organizations last month participated in the Fifth Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-5).


University of California students visit UN-HABITAT
	Nairobi, 7 Jul 11 A group of graduate students from the University of California, Berkeley, last month visited UN-HABITAT for presentations and discussions relating to their field work "studio" on slum upgrading in Mathare, a slum in Nairobi.


Second phase of Lake Victoria projects kicks off next month
	Nairobi, 5 Jul 11 The second phase of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative will kick off next month, it has been announced;


Italy commits 1.2m Euros to World Urban Forum
	Nairobi, 5 Jul 11 The Government of Italy has pledged nearly 2 million Euros to host the sixth World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy in 2012.


UN team joins Mathare United for Sports and Community Service in Korogocho Slums
	Nairobi, 2 Jul 11 The United Nations at Nairobi (UNON) football team recently joined hands with Mathare United Football Club for a football clinic as well as a cleanup iof the Korogocho slums in Nairobi.


Forging our urban future
	Barcelona, 22 Jun 11 UN-HABITAT's Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos, joined ESADE Business School Professor Javier Solana, and personalities from a range of cities around the world for a day of talks earlier this month on the implications of a rapidly urbanizing world.


New Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea presents credentials to Executive Director of UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, 14 Jun 11 Mr. Chan-woo Kim, the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to UN-Habitat, presented his credentials to Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat on 14 June 2011.


UN-HABITAT, Kuwaiti government hold workshop on safety
	Kuwait City, 9 May 11 Some 52 participants from across the globe gathered in Kuwait City late last month for a workshop on integrated safety priorities in cities for sustainable development.


The Habitat Professionals Charter: from Rio de Janeiro to Naples
	Nairobi, 26 Apr 11 A Meeting of the Habitat Professionals Forum (HPF) was held on 12 April in Nairobi, parallel to the 23rd session of the Governing Council. The HPF represents in excess of 6 million Human Settlements professionals who together, as urban planners, architects, surveyors, landscape architects and engineers, constitute a key partner in delivering the Habitat Agenda.


Private sector committed to support a new positive vision towards better cities
	Nairobi, 26 Apr 11 A Private Sector Strategy Meeting held on Thursday 14th April as a side event of the 23rd session of the Governing Council gathered about twenty representatives of the private sector, including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the US Chamber of Commerce and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as representatives of companies such as BASF Social Foundation, Capital Markets for the Marginalized, Veolia Environment, Siemens, Philips, Arcadis, GDF-Suez, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Mega Consultores.


Governing Council a success for UN-HABITAT
	Nairobi, 18 Apr 11 The twenty-third biennial meeting of governments in the Governing Council of UN-HABITAT closed in Nairobi on Friday with top officials describing it as a resounding success for the agency.


Spin-off from slum upgrading
	Nairobi, 14 Apr 11 A project jointly implemented by UN-HABITAT and the government of Kenya to help inhabitants of Soweto East, a settlement within Nairobi’s Kibera’s slums, upgrade their living conditions is having an unexpected spin-off- that benefit children with disabilities to better integrate into society.


Pushing for greener public transport and urban mobility
	Nairobi, 13 Apr 11 More than 50 representatives of local governments met in Nairobi on Sunday to discuss urban mobility and sustainable urban transport options aimed at reducing pollution, reducing congestion, conserving energy and helping make cities greener. Local authorities agreed at the meeting to make urban mobility around the world their priority for the year 2011.


Morocco to host meeting on mid-term progress towards MDG slum target
	Nairobi, 12 Apr 11 The Government of the Kingdom of Morocco announced that it will host the meeting to review the mid-term progress towards the Millennium Development Goal target on slum improvement.


Nollywood meets Bollywood as UN-HABITAT appoints Youth Envoys
	Nairobi, 12 Apr 11 They command millions of fans in many parts of the world, and UN-HABITAT has tapped into the phenomenal popularity of these internationally acclaimed Nollywood and Bollywood film actors to empower young people in their communities.


Naples to host next World Urban Forum
	Nairobi, 11 Apr 11 The southern Italian city of Naples has offered to host the sixth session of the World Urban Forum. Scheduled for the first week of September 2012, the theme of the Forum will be The Urban Future


UN-HABITAT's 23rd Governing Council calls for optimism about future of cities
	Nairobi, 11 Apr 11 The Twenty -third Session of the Governing Council of UN-HABITAT opened in Nairobi


Pushing for greener public transport and urban mobility
	Nairobi, 11 Apr 11 More than 50 representatives of local governments met in Nairobi on Sunday to discuss urban mobility and sustainable urban transport options


Clos receives credentials from the new Permanent Representative of the European Union to UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, 7 Apr 11 The new Permanent Representative of the European Union to UN-Habitat, H.E. Mr. Lodewijk Briet, presented his credentials to the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos on 7 April 2011.


UN-HABITAT’s Governing Council meets in Nairobi to discuss land access and urban planning
	Nairobi, 6 Apr 11 Delegates from around the world will converge at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi for the 23rd Session of UN-HABITAT’s Governing Council from Monday 11 April – Friday 15 April 2011.


Zena Daysh – a giant in the cause of better cities and a better environment
	Nairobi, 6 Apr 11 Zena Daysh, the founder of the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council and a tireless campaigner for a better human habitat who won the UN-HABITAT Scroll of Honour Award, has died after a short illness, her office announced. She was 96.


A new set of guidelines for better cities
	Nairobi, 25 Mar 11 UN-HABITAT is issuing a handbook to guide the coordinated implementation of the two sets of international guidelines on decentralisation and access to basic services for all. While the international guidelines are available in English, French and Spanish, the handbook is currently available in English, French and Spanish.


Iranian city seeks help to re-invent itself
	Nairobi, 24 Mar 11 Some 5000 years old and ready to re-invent itself would be the best way to describe of the Iranian city of Rafsanjan.


World Water Day celebrations underway in South Africa
	Cape Town, South Africa, 22 Mar 11 A three-day event is underway in Cape Town to mark the United Nations’ World Water Day on March 2011.


A World Water Day drive for better city services
	Cape Town, South Africa, 22 Mar 11 Keynote speakers at the United Nations 2011 World Water Day convention warned this week that greater efforts had to be made to provide better water and sanitation for cities, and especially for the urban poor.


Celebrities and special guests line up to mark World Water Day in South Africa
	Nairobi, 18 Mar 11 Participants from all over the world are preparing for a spectacular programme on Tuesday 22 March to celebrate World Water Day.


Clos pledges support for Eritrea
	Nairobi, 18 Mar 11 The new Permanent Representative of Eritrea to UN-HABITAT, H.E. Mr. Beyene Russom, presented his credentials to Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, who assured the Republic of Eritrea of the organization's support in the country's development efforts, particularly in the areas of human settlements and urban development.


UN-HABITAT assures Ghana of support in land reform
	Nairobi, 18 Mar 11 UN-HABITAT Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos has assured the Republic of Ghana of the organization's support in land reform and city development. Dr Clos gave the assurance today while receiving the credentials from the new Permanent Representative of Ghana to UN-HABITAT, Mr. Kingsley Karimu.


'Reality Studio' visits UN-HABITAT
	Nairobi, 17 Mar 11 Some 31 students taking part in the Masters course 'Reality Studio' visited UN-HABITAT last month in order to get input for their course work and projects.


Vietnam holds a national housing strategy workshop
	Hanoi, 16 Mar 11 UN-HABITAT and the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam organized a workshop on "Consultation and Technical Assistance to National Housing Development Strategy toward 2020, vision of 2030".


UN-HABITAT and partners push for land reforms in Liberia
	Monrovia, 15 Mar 11 UN-HABITAT, the Liberia Land Commission and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) last week launched a new three year, USD 2.3 million dollar joint project


Clos meets senior U.S. officials
	Washington, 14 Mar 11 UN-HABITAT Executive Director Joan Clos held talks last week with U.S. Secretary of State for Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan and other senior officials during his official visit to the United States.


Haiti youth concert elicits reconstruction ideas
	Port-au-Prince, 13 Mar 11 A music competition, featuring 15 finalist bands of youth neighbourhoods was held in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on 13 March 2011.


UN-HABITAT responds to criticism
	Nairobi, 10 Mar 11 The current economic climate calls for increased accountability, efficiency, effectiveness and transparency. In view of this, UN-HABITAT welcomes any constructive criticism.


Women as the solution: a hard lesson learnt
	Buchanan, Liberia, 8 Mar 11 Over 50 government officials gathered in Buchanan Liberia’s second largest city to assess the impact of local leadership training involving some 3000 county staff held over the past two years.


Sharing Liberian common "cents"
	Monrovia, Liberia, 4 Mar 11 How governments choose to spend their taxpayers money is a sensitive issue in most countries, and Liberia is no different.


UN-HABITAT/UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and partners hold green infrastructure event in run-up to Rio 2012
	New York, 4 Mar 11 As part of the preparatory committee meeting for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, UN-HABITAT, UNECE and their partners will hold a side event promoting green infrastructure development.


London to host Habitat Partner University Initiative meeting
	Nairobi, 3 Mar 11 UN-HABITAT in collaboration with the University of Westminster will host the first global workshop of the Habitat Partner University Initiative from 16 - 18 May 2011 to discuss the future of the initiative.


UN-HABITAT and UNDP hold a donor roundtable meeting
	Beirut, 3 Mar 11 United Nations Human Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) this week held a one day donor roundtable meeting in Beirut.


US environment protection agency visits UN-HABITAT projects
	Nairobi, 2 Mar 11 Lisa P. Jackson, the Administrator for the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Joan Clos, the Executive Director visited UN-HABITAT’s projects in Kibera, where they met members of the local community.


Urban Youth Fund launched in Zanzibar
	Nairobi, 28 Feb 11 UN-HABITAT in partnership with the government of Norway launched a USD 100,000 new “Zanzibar Funding Window” of the Urban Youth Fund.


New envoy from Czech Republic presents credentials to Clos
	Nairobi, 28 Feb 11 New Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to UN-HABITAT Mr. Jaroslav Mandys, on Monday presented his credentials to the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos.


UN-HABITAT hosts climate change workshop for African universities
	Nairobi, 25 Feb 11 UN-HABITAT in collaboration with Uganda's Makerere University will host a workshop for African Universities from 3-5 May 2011 aiming to strengthen their urban climate change courses.


Kenya commits to second phase of slum improvement project
	Nairobi, 24 Feb 11 The Government of Kenya on Wednesday affirmed its commitment to the second phase of the improvement of Nairobi’s Kibera slums, a project undertaken jointly with UN-HABITAT.


African Development Bank boosts Lake Victoria urban water programme
	Mombasa, Kenya, 24 Feb 11 The African Development Bank has approved a USD 110 million grant to extend a UN-HABITAT's urban improvement programme to another 15 towns in five countries.


Graduate students learn about disaster management
	Barcelona, 24 Feb 11 UN-HABITAT delivered a seminar for 15 graduate students entitled "Disaster Management and Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Areas as part of the Erasmus Mundo-URBANO Masters in International Cooperation programme held at the International University of Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.


Clos invites Portugal to play a more active role in UN-HABITAT
	Nairobi, 24 Feb 11 The Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos, has appealed to the Republic of Portugal to play a more active role in the affairs of the organization.


Ukraine envoy calls for greater ties with UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, 22 Feb 11 The new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Ukraine to UN-HABITAT, Mr. Volodymyr Butiaha, presented his credentials on Tuesday to the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos.


President Kibaki opens UNEP Governing Council
	Nairobi, 21 Feb 11 President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya officially opened the 26th Session of the Governing Council of countries which oversee the work programme and budget of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi.


Better performance and accountability across the UN
	Nairobi, 21 Feb 11 The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is continually urging Governments to be accountable to their people, signed a new annual series of compacts last week with his own senior managers aimed at holding them accountable for their performances and at increasing transparency.


New Spanish envoy presents credentials
	Nairobi, 17 Feb 11 The new Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Spain to UN-HABITAT, Mr. Javier Herrera Garcia-Canturri, on Thursday presented his credentials to the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos.


Twenty four graduate with diploma in urban studies
	Nairobi, Kenya, 17 Feb 11 Twenty four students comprising of town clerks, heads of departments, committee chairpersons, and council officers from the East African region last week with a Diploma in Urban Development Studies at a colorful ceremony attended by family, friends and invited guests.


Ouagadougou hosts urban security meeting
	Ouagadougou, 16 Feb 11 The Joint Programme on Strengthening Urban Security in Ouagadougou (PCRSU, in French), recently held a sensitization workshop sensitization workshop on the institutionalization of integrated crime and violence prevention approach/initiative and a training on the establishment of local safety committees


UN-HABITAT extends housing support in Sri Lanka
	Colombo, 15 Feb 11 UN-HABITAT in Sri Lanka has just launched USD 28 million housing programme to support internally displaced war survivors in the north of the country.


Back to the future - a gathering of UN-HABITAT veterans
	Nairobi, 15 Feb 11 A group of 25 retired UN-HABITAT veterans from countries around the world returned to the agency’s headquarters this week to share their experiences and insights with a view to helping establish a new direction for the agency.


Japan funds resettlement of displaced people in Somalia
	Nairobi, 8 Feb 11 The Government of Japan has contributed USD 1.5 million to UN-HABITAT in Somalia to support the relocation of tens of thousands of internally displaced people.


UN-HABITAT launches peace building programme in Afghanistan
	Kabul, 8 Feb 11 UN-HABITAT has launched the second phase of a peace building progamme in Afghanistan, thanks to funding of USD 28.5 million from the Government of Japan.


European Union, UN-HABITAT strengthen ties
	Brussels, 7 Feb 11 Key high-level European officials joined the representatives of international institutions at the European Parliament in Brussels for wide ranging talks on urban matters and global urban development.


Myanmar cyclone funding shortfall
	Yangon, 2 Feb 11 The United Nations said this week it was growing concerned that a shortfall in funding cyclone recovery in Myanmar would render some communities unnecessarily vulnerable ahead of the coming monsoon season.


Vietnamese learn about South Korean low income housing
	Hanoi, 26 Jan 11 A group of Vietnamese last week undertook a one week study tour of South Korea to learn more about low cost housing in that country


Obama: catching up with urban development in Europe and China
	Washington, 26 Jan 11 U.S. President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that America would have to work harder to catch up with new urban infrastructure and advances in Europe and China.


UN-HABITAT wins award for conflict resolution in Congo
	Nairobi, 26 Jan 11 UN-HABITAT has been recognised by the community of Mahagi, Eastern Congo for its efforts in peace building and land conflict resolution


World Urban Forum 6 venue to be changed
	Nairobi, 25 Jan 11 UN-HABITAT has announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain will no longer be the venue for the next World Urban Form to be held in 2012.


New Burundian envoy presents credentials to Clos
	Nairobi, 18 Jan 11 The new Permanent Representative of Burundi to UN-Habitat, H.E. Ms. Emmerence Ntahonkuriye, today presented her credentials to the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos.


Taking Stock of Local Observatories Know-How in Lebanon
	Tripoli, 18 Jan 11 A consultative workshop entitled “Towards Promoting the role of Tripoli Environment and Development Observatory (TEDO)”, was held on Tuesday 18 January 2011 in Tripoli city.


City prize nominations open
	Singapore, 18 Jan 11 Nominations for the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2012 are now open till 31 March 2011, the organizers announced.


Clos receives credentials from the new Permanent Representative of Romania to UN-Habitat
	Nairobi, Kenya, 12 Jan 11 The new Permanent Representative of Romania to UN-Habitat, Dr. Octav-Dan Paxino, today presented his credentials to the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos.

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