SUMMARY OF PLENARY DISCUSSIONS AND OUTCOMES
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY, 26 MARCH 2025
On Wednesday, 26 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 6: Update on the preparation of, and possible recommendation of, the draft strategic plan of UN-Habitat for the period 2026−2029
The Executive Director, in her report on the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029, outlined the consultative process and the different stages of developing the plan. She presented the strategic focus, impact areas, as well as the means of implementation and outcomes. She further presented proposed goals and principles for developing monitoring; stressed the need to generate and collect accurate data for monitoring impact in view of data scarcity; and presented examples of possible indicators.
Interventions by Member States
MOZAMBIQUE, on behalf of the African Group, thanked UN-Habitat for the consultative process and its efforts in reconciling diverse views of Member States; reiterated the need to avoid vague and non-agreed language related to gender responsiveness; emphasized the need to prioritize capacity-building for urban planning, sustainable urban development, and reporting on the New Urban Agenda; and stressed the importance of resource mobilization to promote resilient housing projects in developing countries, especially in Africa.
COLOMBIA thanked the Executive Director for a transparent and inclusive process that contributed to the robustness and clarity of the document; supported language agreed in intergovernmental processes and the need to continue building consensus; welcomed the strategic focus, the strong linkages between normative and operational dimensions, as well as a multidimensional response to inequalities; stressed the need to include human rights, environmental justice, and climate issues; supported the proposal to strengthen monitoring; and expressed hope for consensus adoption of the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 by the United Nations Habitat Assembly.
GERMANY supported the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029’s emphasis on adequate housing, land, and basic services, as well as its focus on informal settlements; underscored the importance of prioritizing support for vulnerable communities given current global challenges; expressed willingness to apply flexibility with regards to the plan; recognized efforts to balance diverging Member State priorities; expressed confidence that the plan would provide clear and focused guidance for UN-Habitat’s work at the global, national, and local levels, enhancing its impact; and stressed that the plan would need to remain fully aligned with global commitments and frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.
MEXICO thanked UN-Habitat for the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029; emphasized that achieving its mandate requires alignment with international human rights law; and underscored the importance of maintaining gender empowerment language.
MALAWI commended the transparent consultative process ensuring Member States’ priorities are reflected in the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and recommended resolving all contentious language before the United Nations Habitat Assembly to ensure clarity and effectiveness of the plan.
EGYPT reiterated its request for proposed language reformulation related to human rights and gender and hoped for revisions before the United Nations Habitat Assembly.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION commended the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 as ambitious and well-calibrated to respond to global challenges; recognized the strategic focus as visionary and pragmatic; praised UN-Habitat’s exemplary consultation efforts; and emphasized the necessity of including language on road safety.
JAPAN underlined the importance of spatial planning as a means of implementation of the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029; highlighted its collaboration with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Fukuoka on the Spatial Planning Platform; noted that in a recent meeting on this initiative, participants emphasized the importance of data and the value of digital technologies; and encouraged more countries and regions to join the platform.
BRAZIL appreciated the inclusive consultations and the timely update to the Executive Board; commended efforts to address concerns of Member States while maintaining consistency with agreed language and multilateral commitments, particularly the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals; appreciated the strategic focus and the revisions of the monitoring and implementation section; emphasized the importance of defining clear roles and responsibilities for implementation; reaffirmed the need for agreed language on gender and human rights; and reaffirmed commitment to preserving the document’s integrity and securing its adoption.
KENYA welcomed efforts to conclude the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and appreciated its alignment with Kenya’s priorities on addressing the housing challenge; emphasized the importance of adequate housing, land, and basic services for many countries; stressed the critical need for adequate and regular funding to implement the plan; urged the development of innovative funding models and requested all Member States to support.
FRANCE thanked the Secretariat for the consultative process and for incorporating its comments, particularly on the importance of access to affordable housing and land and noted that the language on human rights should be included, including in the context of housing.
SENEGAL welcomed the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 as an ambitious roadmap that aligns with Senegal’s national priorities; welcomed the development of a robust monitoring framework and asked how such a framework would be adapted to the African context where capacity and data collection are limited; and praised the consultative and inclusive approach.
NIGERIA welcomed a lean and realistic plan reflecting African priorities; and urged UN-Habitat to remain within its mandate and opposed gender definitions beyond male and female.
PORTUGAL appreciated the programmatic vision that balances all Member States’ priorities; stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between normative and operational work in the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029; stressed the need to integrate human rights and principles of the UN Charter; and reaffirmed that the plan’s language should align with the New Urban Agenda and United Nations Assembly resolutions.
ANGOLA appreciated the consultative process and commended the strategic focus in line with UN-Habitat’s mandate; emphasized the importance of capacity building, technical assistance – especially in rural and urban areas – and financial mobilization; called upon Member States to provide support; and expressed hope that the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 would be adopted at UNHA to ensure successful implementation.
SWEDEN appreciated the consultative process and welcomed a focused plan given limited funding; noted the priority of the normative agenda; supported the strategic focus but urged that other critical aspects of sustainable urban development not be overlooked; stressed the necessity of a human rights-based approach; and regretted efforts to undermine human rights and gender equality.
CHINA expressed support for the strategic focus and hoped that the document prioritizes technical aspects and avoids political controversies.
ARGENTINA welcomed a transparent process and expressed support for the strategic focus; called for alignment with national and regional contexts and clear implementation responsibilities; noted that resource mobilization is essential for the plan’s success; and emphasized that the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda are legally non-binding.
MOROCCO commended the inclusive process that enriched the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029; praised the recognition of urbanization’s transformative potential; supported the strategic focus; and called for regional implementation plans that reflect national priorities.
COSTA RICA welcomed the inclusive process and the implementation section, requesting more details on regional implementation; stressed consensus-building and opposed revisiting previously agreed issues; and called for consideration of decent housing for persons with disabilities and women’s access to credit in the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029.
INDONESIA appreciated the inclusive approach; called for a succinct document to communicate effectively with stakeholders; stressed that the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 must recognize regional differences; advocated for the use of agreed international language while avoiding contentious terms; and highlighted smart cities, affordable housing, and water as important issues, emphasizing the need to consider Member States’ best practices.
ALGERIA appreciated UN-Habitat’s efforts to merge different views; supported the strategic focus, the linkages between rural and urban areas, and the enhancement of gender equality; called for avoiding controversial language; and emphasized that the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 should reflect regional frameworks and needs, with precise indicators facilitating impact assessment.
MALAYSIA reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban development and alignment with the New Urban Agenda and SDGs and highlighted its efforts to assist Member States in the region, including hosting the Asia-Pacific Urban Agenda Platform, the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Forum 2025, and the 7th Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO supported the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029’s alignment with national priorities and stressed the need for clear communication on contentious terms to avoid delays in adoption.
FINLAND commended UN-Habitat’s efforts to focus on its core mandate; appreciated the emphasis on environment and climate action; and regretted challenges to human rights and gender language, reaffirming the binding nature of international laws.
UGANDA welcomed the strategic focus and the inclusion of resource mobilization as a key element; underlined that housing is a key aspect of human rights and that the strategic focus aligns with UN-Habitat’s core mandate; emphasized that smart cities are essential and that the implementation plan should address data-related issues; and stressed the need for a human-centred approach to ensure inclusivity.
NETHERLANDS commended efforts to build convergence; stressed the need for adoption at UNHA; highlighted that human rights, gender responsiveness, and inclusivity are agreed upon in the New Urban Agenda; and recalled that UN-Habitat’s work is rooted in the New Urban Agenda and SDGs.
The meeting decided to take note of the briefing of the Executive Director and related background documents.
Agenda item 7: Briefing on the Sustainable Cities and Communities Foundation
UN-Habitat presented an update on the ten-year contribution agreement with the Sustainable Cities and Communities Foundation (SCCF). UN-Habitat indicated that while SCCF was expected to provide annual non-earmarked contributions, no funds had been received to date. In 2024, UN-Habitat requested the first instalment but had not received a response. UN-Habitat highlighted that the first annual report indicated that SCCF was not yet fully operational. The Risk Oversight and Advisory Committee reviewed the report and found that SCCF had not made meaningful progress, recommending a comprehensive review of the agreement.
UN-Habitat confirmed that the Executive Director intended to initiate a due diligence review to assess financial risks and governance issues associated with the agreement. UN-Habitat outlined key concerns, including the prolonged duration of the agreement, the absence of financial contributions, and SCCF’s responsibility for establishing an Advisory Board. UN-Habitat also noted that SCCF’s reported partnerships, such as a Memorandum of Understanding with University College London, required further scrutiny. UN-Habitat also emphasized the need to strengthen risk oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
Interventions by Member States
MOZAMBIQUE, on behalf of the African Group, appreciated SCCF and recognized the need to undertake due diligence by the Executive Director; reaffirmed the need for a briefing from SCCF on its present status; emphasized that sustainable and diverse funding is crucial for UN-Habitat and welcomed efforts to nurture innovative fundraising mechanisms such as SCCF; noted the limitations of existing frameworks and stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure sustainable financing; and welcomed the Executive Director’s commitment to periodic evaluations and requested to be informed of the outcomes of these processes.
BRAZIL took note of the briefing by the Executive Director; appreciated the update on SCCF and recognized the potential value of broadening UN-Habitat’s funding base; emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the contribution agreement and supported the undertaking of a thorough due diligence to safeguard credibility, transparency, and accountability; reiterated the terms of the 2023/24 decision that affirms SCCF’s independence from UN-Habitat; stated that it was not comfortable with the statements made by SCCF during the Executive Board session; recommended independent oversight; requested the removal of any reference on SCCF’s website indicating Brazil’s support for the Foundation; and thanked UN-Habitat for sending invitations to Member States to sit on the Advisory Board.
COLOMBIA appreciated the transparency and updates provided in line with the decisions of the Board of Directors; noted the findings of the Oversight and Risk Advisory Committee; expressed support for conducting an independent due diligence process in consultation with the UN Secretariat; and considered the due diligence process a necessary measure to ensure accountability, strengthen trust, and uphold the principles of good financial governance in all partnerships supporting UN-Habitat’s mandate.
MALAWI thanked the Executive Director for the update on SCCF and UN-Habitat’s engagement with the Foundation; noted that the agreement has not yielded financial contributions or meaningful progress; sought clarification on the specific challenges hindering SCCF from mobilizing resources and the measures being taken to address them; inquired how the proposed due diligence process would ensure SCCF honours its commitments and what actions would be taken if it fails to do so; recommended summoning SCCF to brief the Executive Board on its operational status and future plans; reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban development through innovative financing mechanisms; and demanded accountability from funding institutions such as SCCF.
PORTUGAL acknowledged the financial mechanisms supporting UN-Habitat’s work; aligned with Brazil’s position; made additional requests, including clarification on the delays in inviting Member States to the Advisory Board, the timeline for its establishment, and measures ensuring the implementation of the UN contribution agreement in 2025; raised concerns about unauthorized use of the UN-Habitat logo and of Portugal’s name appearing on the SCCF website; requested clarification on this matter; asserted that UN-Habitat must work independently.
FRANCE inquired about the lack of resource mobilization since the signing of the contribution agreement and how the absence of the Advisory Board has impacted private financing efforts; supported the due diligence process led by the Executive Director; and reminded that the agreement with the Foundation could be terminated if it does not yield results.
SPAIN thanked the Executive Director for preparing the first Executive Board meeting of the year and for the briefing on SCCF; supported the Executive Director’s decision to conduct due diligence in collaboration with UN Headquarters; emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and financial sustainability for UN-Habitat; welcomed efforts to prioritize resource mobilization; and expressed satisfaction with UN-Habitat’s financial status in 2024.
MOROCCO noted that no funds had been received while efforts should focus on mobilizing resources; emphasized the need for clarity on the legal implications of the Foundation’s continued link to UN-Habitat; suggested that the Foundation engage directly with Member States; and asked whether there would be any legal consequences if SCCF did not respect the agreement.
NIGERIA noted the Executive Director’s report on SCCF and aligned itself with Mozambique’s statement on behalf of the African Group; emphasized the importance of adopting innovative financing mechanisms; acknowledged that the agreement could be terminated if the Executive Board was dissatisfied; welcomed the need for an independent review of any entity associated with UN-Habitat, considering potential reputational risks; recommended that SCCF be called upon to brief the Executive Board on its status; inquired whether any donors were waiting to contribute; asked for the timeline of the due diligence process; inquired whether SCCF’s operations would be put on hold during this period; and requested clarification on whether the delay in inviting Member States to the Advisory Board was due to UN-Habitat or SCCF.
KENYA aligned itself with Mozambique’s position on SCCF; expressed concern over the lack of progress since the signing of the contribution agreement in 2024; emphasized the need for transparency and accountability to ensure timely contributions to UN-Habitat; supported reviewing the agreement to align both parties; and encouraged dialogue between UN-Habitat and SCCF to achieve sustainable development outcomes.
UGANDA aligned itself with Mozambique’s statement; acknowledged the significance of SCCF in supporting UN-Habitat’s mission; expressed concern over the lack of progress in resource mobilization; emphasized the need for a robust and sustainable financial structure; supported the Executive Director’s initiative to conduct independent due diligence; and urged SCCF to prioritize resource mobilization for low- and middle-income countries to advance sustainable urban development and the achievement of the SDGs.
EGYPT thanked the Executive Director for the briefing and emphasized the need for further clarification from SCCF itself; suggested organizing a briefing with the Executive Director and an SCCF representative to address concerns; recalled Nigeria’s inquiry regarding whether the due diligence process would delay SCCF’s operationalization and the formation of the Advisory Board; and requested clarity on the timeline for SCCF to send invitations to UN-Habitat and their subsequent circulation to the Executive Board members.
Interventions by other stakeholders
SCCF REPRESENTATIVE stated that in 2024, SCCF actively engaged with UN-Habitat to discuss the Advisory Board issue; attributed the delays in action to the transition period and administration changes; affirmed that the presence of Member States on the SCCF Advisory Board was necessary for transparency and governance; stated that mandated documentation was circulated to Lloyd’s Banking Group to secure funding; clarified that SCCF does not use UN-Habitat’s logo, but that its website states that SCCF was established “in support of” UN-Habitat; clarified that the invitations to Member States to sit on the Advisory Board were sent in October 2024; and emphasized that the lack of an Advisory Board meant that no legal documents could be signed.
The meeting decided to take note of the background documents and of the briefing of the Executive Director.
Agenda item 9: Update on the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Habitat Assembly
UN-Habitat provided an update on the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Habitat Assembly at its first and second sessions. The briefing, based on document HSP/EB.2025/7, outlined progress made during the reporting period (September 2024-January 2025) and encouraged Member States to consult the Assembly Resolution Tracker for detailed updates on each resolution.
UN-Habitat reported progress across multiple resolutions, while also noting that implementation had proceeded unevenly due to disparities in resources and institutional capacities. Key achievements during the reporting period included:
- The full implementation of resolution 2/10 (Equitable financing and effective monitoring of the implementation of resolutions adopted by the United Nations Habitat Assembly), including the launch of the United Nations Assembly Resolution Tracker;
- The development of international guidelines on people-centred smart cities (IG-PCSC) under resolution 2/1;
- The celebration of World Cities Day on 20 September 2024, in line with resolution 2/3 (Enhancing the capacity of local governments to implement the New Urban Agenda and achieve the SDGs);
- The launch of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs (resolution 2/6: Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals);
- The organization of the first session of the Open-ended Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All (resolution 2/7: Adequate housing for all).
UN-Habitat also highlighted operational paragraphs from several resolutions – particularly resolution 1/2 (Gender equality to support inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements), resolution 2/4 (Biodiverse and resilient cities), and resolution 2/9 (Enhancing urban planning for sustainable urbanization) – that require additional support for full implementation.
Looking ahead, UN-Habitat outlined how the continued implementation of United Nations Habitat Assembly resolutions would be integrated into the Strategic Plan 2026–2029.
Interventions by Member States
MOZAMBIQUE, speaking on behalf of the AFRICAN GROUP, called for the equal and balanced implementation of all resolutions; emphasized the need for equitable allocation of resources; expressed concern over limited funding for resolutions introduced by the African Group, including resolutions 2/8, 2/9, and 2/7; welcomed the transparency of the Assembly Resolution Tracker; and called on UN-Habitat to strengthen engagement with donors and operationalize the Urban Action Funding Window.
BRAZIL appreciated the improved allocation of time for the resolution updates; welcomed the launch of the Assembly Resolution Tracker; underscored that digital technology must respond to human needs, based on principles of social inclusion and equity, and align with the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities and the Brazilian Charter for Smart Cities (2/1); expressed support for the adoption of the guidelines; and inquired about the support that UN-Habitat would provide Member States in translating the guidelines into policy and action.
COLOMBIA stressed the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity in urban planning (2/4) and highlighted this as a national priority; supported the revised International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1); and emphasized the importance of human rights, social inclusion, and effective data governance.
GERMANY appreciated the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1) as a strong example of UN-Habitat’s normative work; advocated for retaining human rights language in the guidelines; and emphasized the importance of technology in advancing social equity.
FRANCE expressed support for resolution 2/7 on adequate housing; emphasized the need for improved housing data; noted its co-chairing of the ad-hoc intersessional working group on adequate housing with Kenya and invited Member States to nominate experts; appreciated progress in the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1) and the need to maintain a human rights-based approach; and called for continued collaboration among Member States.
EGYPT reiterated the need for equal implementation of all resolutions; highlighted the importance of revisions to the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1) before endorsement; and questioned UN-Habitat’s expertise in drafting human rights-related sections of the guidelines.
ARGENTINA welcomed the briefing and the alignment of the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 with the adopted resolutions.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION appreciated the inclusion of Member State recommendations in the revised International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1) and called for more focus on artificial intelligence, digital twin technologies, and scalability in the guidelines.
MALAWI highlighted the transformative potential of smart cities; called for stronger adaptation to developing country contexts, such as increased guidance on improving access to digital infrastructure; and emphasized the inclusion of gender-responsive language.
NIGERIA echoed calls by the African Group for greater balance in the implementation of resolutions; appreciated the inclusion of Member State feedback in the latest draft of the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1); cautioned against promoting private sector interests in smart city development and stressed democratic values, gender binary references, and a narrower interpretation of human rights focused on personal data protection.
COSTA RICA appreciated UN-Habitat’s efforts in developing the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1); emphasized that technology should advance both planetary and human well-being; supported global knowledge exchange; underscored that digital services should be universally accessible, with a cross-cutting emphasis on human rights, privacy, and data protection; and emphasized the need to address financial challenges under resolution 2/4 on biodiverse and resilient cities.
ZIMBABWE echoed calls by the African Group for greater balance in the implementation of resolutions; and called for UN-Habitat to improve resource mobilization and better leverage strategic partnerships.
FINLAND supported the retention of human rights references in the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities (2/1) and commended the consultative process.
Interventions by other stakeholders
HUAIROU COMMISSION appreciated the work of UN-Habitat; emphasized the importance of adequate housing for all women and girls as a key to empowerment; and expressed readiness to collaborate with UN-Habitat and other stakeholders.
The meeting decided to take note of the background documents and of the briefing of the Executive Director.