SUMMARY OF PLENARY DISCUSSIONS AND OUTCOMES
DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY, 8 MAY 2024
On Wednesday, 8 May 2024, the first session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for the year 2024 resumed in Nairobi, Kenya.
Agenda item 11: Action by UN-Habitat to strengthen protection against sexual and any other type of exploitation and abuse and against sexual harassment in the workplace
The Acting Executive Director confirmed implementation of necessary actions and measures throughout 2023 to strengthen protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and sexual harassment both at the UN-Habitat headquarters and its outposted offices worldwide. These measures include addressing all allegations appropriately, developing an annual plan for PSEA implementation, conducting risk assessments for UN-Habitat’s operations and programmes, taking actions based on assessment results and conducting reviews. The Acting Executive Director further indicated that UN-Habitat continues to advocate for efforts on PSEA and sexual harassment issues with its personnel, partners, and stakeholders. UN-Habitat reaffirmed its commitment to allocate necessary resources to uphold the zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.
UN-Habitat further elaborated on four key areas of action taken in 2023, namely, emphasizing the rights and dignity of victims, ending impunity, engaging with Member States and civil society, and enhancing strategic communications for education and transparency. UN-Habitat reaffirmed its alignment with the UN-wide statement of commitment to eliminating PSEA, including the protocol on allegations of SEA involving implementing partners, and adherence to the IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee) definition and principles of a victim/survivor-centred approach.
The 2024 action plan for implementing PSEA measures emphasizes proactive follow-up mechanisms to ensure all victims and survivors receive necessary support and assistance, including appointing focal points, ensuring accountability, conducting victim-centred assessments and investigations, and utilizing an online system for case reporting and tracking. It also entails conducting surveys and risk assessments, integrating SEA provisions in agreements with implementing partners, and providing training to and raising awareness of PSEA among personnel in the workplace.
UN-Habitat reported to the Executive Board that there was one case relating to SEA forwarded to OIOS in 2023 (still under consideration). In 2024, four reported cases were forwarded to OIOS.
UN-Habitat recommended several actions for consideration, including hiring a staff member at the P4 level to serve as a focal point for conduct and disciplinary matters; allocating additional staff and resources for training on the legal and administrative framework in field offices; strengthening engagement with partners and stakeholders to ensure implementation of PSEA; and incorporating PSEA measures into UN-Habitat’s project development process.
Interventions by Member States
MEXICO acknowledged that UN-Habitat’s guidelines on PSEA align with recommendations from the governing bodies and underscored its significance in addressing gender-based violence.
COLOMBIA appreciated UN-Habitat’s efforts in addressing PSEA and ensuring a safe working environment, particularly in protecting women, and urged further advancement in line with Colombia's framework on feminist policy.
COLOMBIA, KENYA and the NETHERLANDS commended the victim-centred approach taken by UN-Habitat to addressing PSEA.
UNITED STATES emphasized the significance of PSEA in advancing human dignity and rights, urging UN-Habitat to continue implementing PSEA measures, including through online platforms; noted that low report numbers do not indicate absence of cases; encouraged that staff report allegations using established platforms; inquired about the usage of established mechanisms; requested clarifications on why only 82 per cent of personnel completed the mandatory PSEA training, enquiring about steps taken towards compliance and consequences for non-compliance; and urged integration of PSEA measures into programmes, emphasizing community involvement, trust-building, and engagement, especially given the vulnerability of women and girls.
KENYA recommended establishing a dedicated unit, implementing a staff code of conduct, and establishing reporting mechanisms; commended the provision of training and awareness on PSEA; emphasized the importance of comprehensive reports on SEA supported by data; stressed the need to ensure victims are not stigmatized; and encouraged UN-Habitat to continue prioritizing actions to ensure a safe working environment.
NETHERLANDS reiterated the importance of a zero-tolerance policy on PSEA and stressed the collective responsibility of all Member States and employees to implement PSEA and to ensure implementing partners and beneficiaries are also protected; aligned with questions from the United States and comments from Kenya; highlighted the joint statement on this topic made during the first session of the Executive Board in 2023 on behalf of several countries including Canada, Brazil, Costa Rica, France, United States, and the Netherlands.
UN-Habitat addressed the inquiries by Member States, providing additional details on the existing PSEA measures, particularly concerning recruitment and training compliance, and indicating that UN-Habitat tracks compliance and aims to reach 100 per cent compliance on the mandatory PSEA training by the end of the year; further indicated that the consequences for failure to comply are being discussed amongst UN agencies; and highlighted the challenges posed by limited resources and capacity, noting the absence of a dedicated full-time staff member working on PSEA.
The Chair closed the agenda item.
Agenda item 12: Report by the Executive Director on actions to update and improve the internal management, policies and procedures of UN-Habitat
The Chair of the Executive Board provided his opening remarks and asked the Acting Executive Director to provide a report on the efforts to update and improve the internal management, policies and procedures of UN-Habitat.
The Acting Executive Director noted that UN-Habitat had embarked on a journey to strengthen its internal management systems, streamline policies, and enhance operational procedures. These initiatives are guided among others by the newly developed Digital Transformation Strategy and the strengthened implementation of the results-based management approach.
Reiterating that the report was requested by the Executive Board in its third meeting for the year 2023, UN-Habitat reported on the nine critical areas, which spotlight the multifaceted role of the UN-Habitat leadership in steering UN-Habitat towards organizational effectiveness: (i) executive and strategic direction, (ii) partnership management, (iii) management of financial and human resources, (iv) programme management and development, (v) regional representation, (vi) oversight monitoring and evaluation, (vii) ethics, (viii) staff relations management and (ix) resource mobilization.
UN-Habitat highlighted key recent initiatives including the efforts to enhance digital tools for governments to support their digital transformation and people-centred smart cities; establishment of the risk oversight and accountability and budget steering committees; the approval of the UN-Habitat risk catalogue and risk register; and the development of an anti-racism strategy and a comprehensive series of online training modules.
Interventions by Member States
UNITED STATES expressed its appreciation for the report; requested additional information on the “propeller project” and when UN-Habitat would share the guidelines on implementing partners as well as private sector partnerships. UN-Habitat responded that the “propeller project” fell under the United Nations Secretary-General’s UN 2.0 initiative, and that UN-Habitat was focusing on implementing the initiative within its strategic plan and field operations. UN-Habitat further indicated that the implementing partner strategy would be concluded in June 2024 and that the private sector strategy was already finalized and could be shared with Member States.
The Chair closed the agenda item, and the report was adopted without further comment or reservation.
Agenda item 13: Consideration and adoption of the outcomes of the session, including the provisional agenda for the second session of 2024
The Chair opened the agenda by expressing appreciation for the participation of Member States in discussions around the draft outcomes of the 2024 first session of the Executive Board.
All draft outcomes from the session were adopted by the Executive Board.
The Chair closed the agenda item.
Agenda item 14: Other matters
Two stakeholders – United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and Huairou Commission – were each allowed two minutes to make statements.
UCLG expressed appreciation for UN-Habitat’s role as the Secretariat of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments, and for its continuous collaboration with UCLG and the Global Taskforce. UCLG welcomed the inclusion of the World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments in the programme of the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF 12) and announced that 30 mayors and governors would be attending WUF12. UCLG highlighted the establishment of a Member State-led task force on housing and the multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral leadership on ‘Accelerating Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2030,’ and pledged to leverage its convening power and institutional representation to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives. UCLG remains committed to championing SDG localization and engaging in the Local2030 Coalition to keep local perspectives central to the global development agenda. UCLG advocated for a stakeholder engagement policy as an important tool to foster the involvement of local and regional governments, among others, into the institutional and programmatic activities of UN-Habitat. Lastly, UCLG emphasized the importance of a unified approach in the UN Summit of the Future in 2024 and World Summit for Social Development in 2025 to ensure that the New Urban Agenda receives the attention it requires as an accelerator of the implementation of all SDGs and the localization of the development agendas.
Huairou Commission expressed appreciation for UN-Habitat’s efforts in implementing the New Urban Agenda and the resolutions adopted in the first and second sessions of the United Nations Habitat Assembly held in 2019 and 2023, demonstrating UN-Habitat’s commitment to fulfil its mandate and accountability towards stakeholders. Huairou Commission welcomed the ongoing reconstitution of the Advisory Group on Gender Issues (AGGI) and expressed hope that the new members of the AGGI would be appointed at WUF12. Huairou Commission recommended UN-Habitat to boldly frame its strategic plan for 2026-2029, aligning it with the concluding years of the 2030 Agenda and the forthcoming Pact for the Future expected at the UN Summit of the Future in 2024. Huairou Commission called upon Nigeria, the current Chair of the Executive Board, and the Acting Executive Director of UN Habitat to formally collaborate with the Global Alliance for Care, initiated by UN Women, the Government of Mexico, and grassroot organizations such as Huairou Commission.
Agenda item 15: Closure of the session
The Chair invited the UN-Habitat Acting Executive Director to deliver his closing remarks.
The Acting Executive Director extended his gratitude for the dedication and contributions of each Member State during the discussions. He further expressed gratitude to Nigeria, the Chair of the Executive Board, for leading the plenaries, and appreciated Colombia, Chair of the informal consultations on the draft decisions of the Executive Board, for its steadfast support to all delegates in negotiating the language for the adopted decisions.
The Acting Executive Director also thanked the Director-General of UNON, the President of ECOSOC, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya, and the Under-Secretary-General for OIOS for their support and participation.
The Acting Executive Director acknowledged all delegations for their continued dedication to UN-Habitat’s mission and highlighted the recurring concern over lack of funds, stressing the need for increased funding to effectively deliver resolutions and normative commitments and become a true centre of excellence on sustainable urban development. He expressed gratitude for the commitment of Member States to the resolutions on housing, to the SURGe initiative, the upcoming Summit of the Future, WUF12, and to UN-Habitat’s involvement at COP29. Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to Member States for their support in developing a new strategic plan for the period 2026 to 2029, which will incorporate lessons from the past and practical recommendations from the OIOS and the MOPAN assessments. He assured that UN-Habitat will engage in close consultations with Member States throughout this process.
The Chair concluded the session.