SUMMARY OF PLENARY DISCUSSIONS AND OUTCOMES
DAY 3 – THURSDAY, 27 MARCH 2025
On Thursday, 27 March 2025, the first session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for the year 2025 resumed in Nairobi, Kenya.
Agenda item 10: Implementation by UN-Habitat of the reform of the development system and management of the United Nations
The Executive Director emphasized UN-Habitat’s key role in advancing the urban agenda and integrating urban dimensions into UN interventions and highlighted that the Programme had co-signed over 60 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks and is aligning its new Country Programme Documents with the broader UN framework to enhance coherence with the Secretary-General’s directives.
UN-Habitat provided an update on UN-Habitat’s alignment with UN development system reforms, highlighting engagement in UN Country Teams across 90 countries, particularly in Africa. UN-Habitat indicated that the Organization adheres to the Management Accountability Framework and has implemented cost-saving measures under the UN Business Operations Strategy, achieving USD 275,000 in savings in 2023. Additionally, UN-Habitat highlighted that it had strengthened its cooperation with regional entities and remained engaged in UN reform initiatives despite limited resources.
The Resident Coordinators from Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Guinea-Bissau provided country-specific insights into UN-Habitat’s contributions, including smart city development, quality of life, urban resilience, and SDG-aligned urban policy initiatives.
Interventions by Member States
MOZAMBIQUE, on behalf of the African Group, commended UN-Habitat’s engagement at regional and national levels but called for equal attention to specific contributions across all UN country frameworks and enhanced Africa-focused interventions.
COLOMBIA highlighted the importance of results-based management practices; recognized the emphasis on South-South and triangular cooperation; and urged increased financial support for UN-Habitat’s work.
SWEDEN underscored the need for efficiency and effectiveness at the UN country level, calling for enhanced coordination and full implementation of UN reforms, and stressed the importance of reducing competition between mandates and focusing on achieving joint development results through increased operational efficiency.
PORTUGAL emphasized the need for UN-Habitat to demonstrate efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness to global challenges and requested clarification on UN-Habitat’s participation in common back-office operations and the challenges faced in their implementation.
MALAWI underlined the importance of integrating urban priorities for Least Developed Countries into national and regional frameworks and called for increased, flexible, and predictable funding to support urban development strategies aligned with SDG 11.
KENYA reaffirmed support for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework as the central instrument for planning and coordinating UN activities at country level.
THE NETHERLANDS encouraged UN-Habitat to focus on its core mandate, embrace the “One UN” approach, and explore innovative financing.
The meeting decided to take note of the briefing of the Executive Director and related background documents.
Agenda item 11: Action by UN-Habitat to strengthen protection against sexual or any other type of exploitation and abuse and against sexual harassment in the workplace.
UN-Habitat emphasized the Organization’s commitment to UN-wide efforts to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), referencing key frameworks such as the UN Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Principles. The Organization noted that, since 2018, UN entities had been required to certify their reporting and prevention efforts, and UN-Habitat had ensured compliance through mandatory staff training, victim support, and strengthened accountability and reporting structures.
UN-Habitat reported that the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) focal point had conducted training for staff members and related personnel at headquarters and outposted offices, including in West Africa, Afghanistan, India, and Mozambique. The Organization highlighted that focal points had been appointed at headquarters, as well as in field and regional offices. UN-Habitat indicated that cooperation agreements with implementing partners and donor agreements now included SEA provisions, with violations subject to termination. An annual action plan had been guiding risk assessments and operational improvements.
For 2025, UN-Habitat outlined plans to deepen engagement with IASC, enhance collaboration with humanitarian coordinators, and strengthen PSEA provisions in agreements for standby personnel. The Organization indicated that additional training and outreach efforts would target field offices, with awareness campaigns integrated into flagship events. UN-Habitat reported that in 2023, one case involving a former staff member had been referred to OIOS, while in 2024, one case concerning an implementing partner had been addressed. A new survey had been launched to improve reporting mechanisms and reduce barriers to reporting, reinforcing UN-Habitat’s commitment to protecting victims’ rights.
UN-Habitat stressed the urgent need for increased resources to handle reports of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, alongside expanded training on legal and investigatory frameworks. UN-Habitat indicated that it was finalizing a roadmap for 2025-2026 to enhance training, ensure consistency in case handling, strengthen cooperation with partners, and expand outreach in high-risk field offices, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy and commitment to ending impunity.
Interventions by Member States
BRAZIL acknowledged progress in PSEA efforts but highlighted systemic challenges in reporting sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment; raised concerns over training completion rates and requested updates on measures to ensure compliance; and called for an inter-agency dialogue with ILO, WHO, and UN-Habitat to strengthen victim protection and improve reporting mechanisms.
PORTUGAL appreciated UN-Habitat’s progress in PSEA but emphasized the need for continued momentum, institutional accountability, and measures against all forms of harassment; questioned whether efforts have led to increased awareness of reporting mechanisms; and requested assessments on the impact of training.
COLOMBIA welcomed UN-Habitat’s initiatives in creating a safe workplace and reaffirmed commitment to combating violence and discrimination, in line with Colombia’s feminist policy; supported inter-institutional cooperation, increased training, and awareness efforts; and emphasized inclusivity for all staff regardless of identity or status.
KENYA recognized UN-Habitat’s steps in PSEA and trainings but encouraged further examination of confidentiality in reporting and sought clarification on whether an assessment had been conducted on the impact of training efforts.
MALAWI commended UN-Habitat’s commitment to PSEA, transparency, and victim-centred support; highlighted the importance of training and awareness initiatives in fostering a safe work environment; and praised the Organization’s dedication to upholding ethical standards and ensuring survivors receive dignity and protection.
The meeting decided to take note of the briefing of the Executive Director and related background documents.
Agenda item 12: Annual report on action by the Executive Director to update and improve the internal management, policies and procedures of UN-Habitat
Introducing the agenda item, the Executive Director reaffirmed UN-Habitat’s commitment to strengthening internal management, policies, and procedures to improve the efficiency and accountability of the Organization.
UN-Habitat indicated that progress had been made in seven key areas. The Organization highlighted its efforts to enhance the management of financial and human resources, including the development of a guidance document on contractual modalities. UN-Habitat noted that it had increased the delegation of authority by expanding the scope of responsibilities for regional representatives, thereby increasing flexibility at the regional level while maintaining accountability. The Organization reported that procurement guidance and procedures had been simplified, and that digital workflow management had been strengthened through dedicated taskforces and digitalization initiatives.
Furthermore, UN-Habitat highlighted the launch of an online portal to improve communication procedures. The Organization indicated that it had continued developing standardized legal templates to support legal and compliance oversight. UN-Habitat also acknowledged the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to guide internal policies and procedures more effectively.
To ensure alignment between UN-Habitat’s organizational structure and the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029, UN-Habitat indicated that an update would be provided to the Executive Board in November 2025.
Despite ongoing challenges such as limited resources and funding constraints, UN-Habitat reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in its internal management practices.
Interventions by Member States
MOZAMBIQUE, on behalf of the African Group, expressed support for UN-Habitat’s efforts to strengthen management and operations; expressed concern about any correspondence from UN-Habitat to Member States that do not pass through the Permanent Missions in Nairobi; and encouraged UN-Habitat to review its communication channels accordingly.
PORTUGAL supported UN-Habitat’s continued efforts to strengthen management, particularly in relation to the new financial planning tool and requested information on the monitoring of the tool’s application, the expected timeline for the new regulatory framework, and mechanism to assess long-term operational impact of reform, especially on the decentralization of regional and country offices.
FRANCE emphasized the importance of aligning UN-Habitat’s organizational structure with the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 to improve efficiency, reflect new strategic priorities and define responsibilities.
KENYA recognized the Organization’s achievements, including the introduction of new budgetary tools and recruitment guidance documents, and enquired about the expected timeline for finalizing the regulatory framework and the opportunity for Member State contributions to its development.
BOTSWANA appreciated the updates on the improvements to internal management; expressed satisfaction with the simplified structure, clear focus and language of the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029; encouraged utilization of available tools to achieve success; and reiterated support for a strong multilateral coalition and UN-Habitat’s role in building sustainable cities by 2030.
UGANDA commended the efforts to improve internal management; recommended further improvements in digitalizing the Organization; and took note of the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework and the establishment of a working group to develop such framework.
GERMANY commended the efforts to improve processes and enhance operations through digitalization and echoed France’s call to ensure the Organization’s structure is aligned with the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029.
The meeting decided to take note of the briefing of the Executive Director and related background documents.
Agenda item 13: Consideration and adoption of the outcomes of the session, including the provisional agenda for the second session of the Executive Board of 2025.
H.E. Dr. Pedro León Cortés Ruiz, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Colombia to UN-Habitat and Chair of the informal drafting group briefed the Executive Board on the outcome of the informal consultations, noting that all draft decisions had been agreed ad ref.
The Executive Board adopted the four draft decisions without any changes.
The meeting decided to confirm the rotation of offices of the Chair and Rapporteur of the Executive Board, to the effect that France will assume the role of Chair and Nigeria the role of Rapporteur until 30 May 2025.
France made a statement as incoming Chair.
Member States commended Nigeria for its leadership as outgoing Chair of the Executive Board.
The Chair confirmed the new composition of the Bureau of the Executive Board until 30 May 2025.
The State of Palestine and Pakistan announced that China would replace Pakistan as Vice Chair of the Bureau of the Executive Board, representing the Asia-Pacific Group until 30 May 2025.
Interventions by Member States
CAMEROON paid tribute to Nigeria for its leadership of the Executive Board over the past year; welcomed France to the role as new Chair; and expressed its commitment to working closely with the Bureau to advance the work of UN-Habitat.
BRAZIL paid tribute to Nigeria for its role as Chair of the Executive Board, noting the significance of the presence of a ministerial-level delegation; and announced that the government of Brazil had recently approved a significant financial contribution to UN-Habitat, which would be conveyed in due course.
Agenda item 14: Other matters
A representative of the Children and Youth Constituency for Sustainable Communities of the Major Group for Children and Youth welcomed the UN-Habitat Work Programme 2026 and expressed readiness to support its implementation; commended UN-Habitat’s commitment to mainstreaming social inclusion for rights holders’ groups, including children and youth; underscored the importance of youth participation in policy development; anticipated the practical application of the stakeholders’ engagement framework and the publication of a youth-led report on the implementation progress of the New Urban Agenda in 2026; called for stronger and more meaningful youth engagement in the work of UN-Habitat, intergovernmental processes, and across the United Nations system; commended UN-Habitat’s continued emphasis on localizing the SDGs; and expressed eagerness to participate in, organize, collaborate on, and co-lead Youth and Intergenerational thematic sessions at the upcoming UNHA-2.2.
Agenda item 15: Closure of the session
On behalf of the Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director thanked Nigeria for their work as Chair of the Executive Board over the past year and welcomed France as the new Chair, looking forward to engaging closely with them as preparations progress towards UNHA-2.2. The Deputy Executive Director also conveyed gratitude to Member States for their commitment and contributions to the development of the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities. Acknowledging the challenges faced by the Organization, he echoed Member States’ call to intensify resource mobilization efforts. He reaffirmed UN-Habitat’s commitment to optimizing existing resources, enhancing transparency, expanding its financial base, safeguarding financial integrity and aligning with the UN System-wide reform efforts.
The Chair thanked all delegations for their support and declared the 2025 first session of the Executive Board closed.