SUMMARY OF PLENARY DISCUSSIONS AND OUTCOMES
DAY 1 – MONDAY, 6 MAY 2024
On Monday, 6 May 2024, the first session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for the year 2024 opened in Nairobi, Kenya.
Agenda item 1: Opening of the session
The Chair of the Executive Board, Hon Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Minister of Urban Housing and Development of Nigeria, opened the session and welcomed all participants and delegates. The Chair continued by honouring the previous UN-Habitat Executive Director, Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, for her efforts in shifting UN-Habitat from a negative to a positive financial situation. He further thanked Mr. Michal Mlynár, Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat, for being steadfast in honouring the work of his predecessor and navigating the organization through the transitional period.
Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), stressed UN-Habitat’s crucial role in addressing the impact of the recent floods in Kenya and their impact on lives and livelihoods, advocating for climate justice and sustainable development.
The Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Michal Mlynár, joined the UNON Director-General in expressing his condolences to the Government of Kenya and its people following the recent floods. He outlined key upcoming events in 2024, including the UN Summit of the Future in September, the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt, in November and COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, later the same month, and reaffirmed UN-Habitat’s commitment to continue advancing sustainable urban development and the global agendas.
Ms. Paula Narváez, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) expressed her appreciation for the UN-Habitat’s emphasis on social, economic and environmental dimensions in its new strategic plan, proposed for the period between 2026-2029. She invited UN-Habitat and its Executive Board to share actions that support the implementation of the UN development system reform and system-wide results in its upcoming Operational Activities for Development Session taking place in May 2024.
Hon. Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya, confirmed the Government of Kenya’s commitment to support UN-Habitat and urged Member States to honour their commitments and support for the normative and operational work of UN-Habitat.
The Chair thanked the speakers and closed the agenda item.
Agenda item 2: Organizational matters
The Executive Board:
- Adopted the agenda and the work plan for the first session of 2024.
- Adopted the report of the Executive Board on the work of its third session of 2023.
The Chair closed the agenda item without further comment or reservation.
Agenda item 3: Reports by the chairs of the ad hoc working groups established by the Executive Board
H.E. Dr. Pedro Leon Cortes Ruiz, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Kenya and Chair of the ad hoc working group on programmatic, budgetary and administrative matters, briefed the Executive Board on the working group’s work on:
- The proposed programme and budget for 2025 and the strategic plan for 2026-2029
- Updates on resolutions adopted at the second United Nations Habitat Assembly in 2023
- The availability of USD 5 million for non-earmarked funding
- The roadmap for the strategic plan 2026-2029 of UN-Habitat
- Updates relating to the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12)
Mr. Antonio Miguel Luís, Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal to UN-Habitat and Chair of the ad hoc working group on the stakeholder engagement policy, briefed the Executive Board on the status of the work of that working group in developing the policy and:
- Stated that the working group had been having various meetings relating to the formulation of the policy.
- Affirmed that the practices of the UN Secretariat on accreditation include various provisions for Member States.
- Expressed the intention to finalize the work as soon as possible and present it to the Executive Board for approval at the United Nations Habitat Assembly as per decision 23/7.
Interventions by Member States
RUSSIAN FEDERATION asked about the conclusion on the meaning of ‘urban regeneration’ and was informed that discussions are currently ongoing and that UN-Habitat will provide a reason for the proposed term, which is still open to discussion.
FRANCE expressed its gratitude for the extensive report on the ad hoc working group on the stakeholder engagement policy. Concern was expressed over the decision to object the accreditation of two stakeholders during the United Nations Habitat Assembly, one of which is the National Federation of Architects whose relevance was said to be pertinent to the mandate of UN-Habitat.
SWEDEN emphasized the need for openness and transparency in formulating the stakeholder engagement policy and expressed concern on limitations on NGO accreditation. Sweden looks forward to further dialogue on the development of the policy.
TURKEY clarified that objections to the further participation of any such NGO regarding stakeholder accreditation was tied to an ECOSOC decision and expressed expectations that the ad hoc working group will define an effective accreditation process for Member States.
USA commended the work of the ad hoc working group on the stakeholder engagement policy and welcomed continued progress on its development.
BRAZIL offered condolences to Kenya for the flood-related challenges. Brazil stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement for the effective functioning of UN-Habitat, advocating for civil society involvement in discussions on housing and SDG 11. Brazil trusts that the ad hoc group will present a stakeholder engagement policy to the United Nations Habitat Assembly in 2025.
MOROCCO pledged full support to the ad hoc working group on the stakeholder engagement policy and also praised the preparations for the current session of the Executive Board. Morocco further welcomed the report on the stakeholder policy and saw bilateral consultations on accreditation as an opportunity for engagement, aiming for a decision at the United Nations Habitat Assembly in 2025.
GERMANY offered condolences for flood impacts in Kenya, highlighting UN-Habitat’s role in promoting resilient cities. Germany stressed the importance of stakeholders engagement, urging transparent accreditation procedures and reporting on their engagements to the Executive Board.
The Executive Board took note of the briefings by the Chair of the ad hoc working group on programmatic, budgetary and administrative matters and by the Chair of the ad hoc working group on the development of a stakeholder engagement policy, and further took note of the observations by Member States.
Agenda item 4: Financial, budgetary, and administrative matters, including the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in accordance with the strategic plan for the period 2020–2025; including a report on the fully costed scalability model and action by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to address geographical and gender imbalances in the composition of its staff
UN-Habitat presented an overview of its finances and staff composition, highlighting its proposed strategies for improving resource mobilization and addressing geographic and gender imbalances.
On financial matters, UN-Habitat emphasized the importance of continuing sound financial practices implemented under the tenure of the former Executive Director, Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif. UN-Habitat highlighted strong growth in the foundation earmarked, non-earmarked and technical cooperation funding categories, with non-earmarked assets reaching their highest level since 2016. UN-Habitat also highlighted that revenue has continued to exceed expenditures over the past three years which indicates a return to financial solvency and organizational responsiveness to growing revenues.
UN-Habitat also stressed the importance of closer cooperation with Member States and more frequent updates on financial matters, especially in the context of the ongoing regular budget liquidity crisis. UN-Habitat thanked Member States for their increased foundation non-earmarked contributions and highlighted the importance of growth in this area for the long-term financial health and sustainability of the organization.
On its equitable geographic balance in its staff composition, UN-Habitat noted that, while most Member States are adequately represented, under-representation and non-representation remain challenges. UN-Habitat indicated it is working with Member States to improve this and invited further discussion and action on this matter.
On gender balance among staff, UN-Habitat noted that while its gender balance is adequate in consideration of all staff positions (including general and local staff), there is opportunity for improving balance at the most senior levels (P5 and above). UN-Habitat highlighted progress in addressing this imbalance with the appointment of two female staff at the Director level in 2023 (out of three director-level appointments) as well as one appointment of a female staff member to a P5 position.
Interventions by Member States
EGYPT, speaking on behalf of the G77 and China, commended UN-Habitat for improvements in its financial situation and expressed hope that this will continue to help UN-Habitat in achieving its mission to improve lives for all in an urbanizing world. It also welcomed the Programme’s initiatives to improve both gender and geographic balance in its staff.
STATE OF PALESTINE, INDONESIA and MALAYSIA welcomed improvements in UN-Habitat’s financial management and advocated for more projects under the purview of the organization’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, including in the domains of housing, spatial inequalities in digital access, and overall advancement of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
MALAYSIA also highlighted its technical support on monitoring and implementation of the New Urban Agenda through the platform it developed and advocated for greater resource allocation to relevant divisions and offices helping to advance the New Urban Agenda, specifically in the Asia and Pacific region. It further highlighted regional engagement opportunities on the New urban Agenda through events hosted by Malaysia in 2024.
CAMEROON, on behalf of the Africa Group, called for increased resources mobilizations efforts by UN-Habitat including through innovative and non-traditional approaches, whilst leveraging partnerships. It expressed concern its view of inadequate staff allocation to the Regional Office for Africa.
MOROCCO commended UN-Habitat’s recent management of its foundation non-earmarked budget and the growth in net assets but stressed the importance of prudent management of expenditures relative to revenues.
COLOMBIA supported UN-Habitat’s efforts to improve its gender balance and emphasized its commitment to women’s empowerment, highlighting the critical role that female inclusion plays in promoting sustainable peace.
JAPAN and INDIA commended UN-Habitat on the improvements in its financial management, including its maintenance of a budget surplus, and its overall return to financial solvency whilst calling for the maintenance of a realistic budget.
GERMANY appreciated improvements in UN-Habitat’s financial situation and stressed the importance of non-earmarked contributions to its foundation, citing its own USD 1 million contribution to the fund.
USA commended UN-Habitat on the smooth transition with the Acting Executive Director, highlighted the importance of implementing the resolutions of the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly. If further emphasized the need to align local actions to community engagement and partnerships within and beyond the UN to achieve UN-Habitat’s mandate.
EGYPT underscored the importance of aligning UN-Habitat’s work programme to developing country priorities, balanced implementation of the resolutions of the second United Nations Habitat Assembly and adequate representation for developing countries in the Programme’s staffing.
PORTUGAL and KENYA recognized UN-Habitat’s progress towards ensuring gender balance in the P5 and above staff level categories and expressed concern about the potential consequences for the organization without an increase in non-earmarked contributions to the foundation non-earmarked budget.
BRAZIL, MEXICO and ARGENTINA appreciated UN-Habitat’s improved management of expenditures relative to revenue and stressed the need for greater staff representation from Latin America and the Caribbean.
SWEDEN commended UN-Habitat’s efforts to balance its budget while advocating for increased non-earmarked and flexible funding from Member States.
Following the discussion, the Chair closed the agenda item and thanked Member States for their fruitful participation.
Agenda item 5: Discussion and possible approval of the draft work programme of UN-Habitat and the draft budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation for 2025
The Chair of the Executive Board gave his opening remarks on the draft work programme and budget for 2025, noting the inclusive approach of the ad hoc working group on programmatic, budgetary and administrative matters.
The Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat noted that the draft budget enables the draft work programme, which represents a continuation of the implementation of the strategic plan 2020-2025. UN-Habitat highlighted key orientations for 2025 including the promotion of urbanization as a transformative force for people and communities, the importance of effective multilateralism, accelerating the implementation of the global agendas, and the strengthening of transformative nature of UN-Habitat’s work.
The proposed budget contains a baseline proposal of USD 4.0 million for 2025. UN-Habitat noted that the draft 2025 budget, prior to its tabling at the next session of the Executive Board, with its 19 posts will be subject to standard re-costing later in 2024 due to Nairobi salary increases for staff members.
In addition to the baseline proposal, the draft budget includes an optional annex with the Scalability Package I, which was endorsed at the third session of the Executive Board for the year 2023 at USD 1.0 million. This would increase the budget to USD 5.0 million and scale up to 23 posts, including:
- Director, Programme Management (External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division), D-2
- Director, Programme Management (Regional Programmes Division), D-2
- Chief of Service, Programme Management (Programme Development Branch), D-1
- Human Settlements Officer (Housing), P-3
Interventions by Member States
THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES, on behalf of its members, indicated that UN-Habitat is one their most significant partners. They noted the requirement of technical support and capacity development in the implementation of urban plans and towards plannable urbanization and highlighted the need for reconstruction in Gaza given the current context.
NIGERIA aligned itself with previous statements in the day from CAMEROON (on behalf of the African Group) and EGYPT (on behalf of G77 and China). Nigeria noted the balanced and conservative approach in the budget yet suggested that scaling up should be considered, particularly with regard to service delivery and in consideration of the recommendations of the OIOS report.
PORTUGAL noted that the budget must be balanced and realistic, taking into account revenue collected in 2024 and the standard model for re-costing due to the increase in the Nairobi salary costs. Portugal indicated that it would only approve the Scalability Package I if USD 6.0 million in revenue is mobilized in 2024.
COLOMBIA highlighted the priority issues for UN-Habitat including equitable water resource management; effective territorial planning through local and regional governments; reducing spatial inequality and poverty in communities across the urban-rural continuum; strengthening climate action; zero waste management and responding adequately to informal settlements. It further reaffirmed the commitments made in the Buenos Aires declaration of MINURVI.
ARGENTINA underlined the importance of the work programme to focus on equity and urban poverty as axes of major development, as well as strengthened access to basic services and inclusive dwellings for vulnerable populations and emergency responses in the context of crises. It also underscored the importance of coordination within multilateral environmental agreements to avoid duplication of efforts and recommended UN-Habitat focus on the urban agenda. It then supported the elaboration of the budget in line with the scalability model, taking into account revenue and net assets available during 2024.
BRAZIL expressed concern over the regular budget liquidity crisis noting that UN-Habitat suffered a 9 per cent reduction in the regular budget and underscored the need for increased non-earmarked contributions. It noted the importance of the scalability model, including for the implementation of the resolutions of the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly.
FRANCE supported the adoption of a realistic budget consistent with present estimates; indicated the requirement for more balance between normative and operational work within UN-Habitat, as the latter is a disproportionately higher recipient of resources.
GERMANY supported the realistic budget as a responsible approach but highlighted the revenue stagnation as an impediment to organic growth and for UN-Habitat to meet growing demands. It queried how UN-Habitat’s assessment of non-earmarked revenues in the current cycle compared to past cycles.
USA supported the work programme and budget and the maintenance of 20 per cent in reserves.
In response to comments and queries by Member States, the Acting Executive Director emphasized that in line with progress in previous years, several additional contributions are expected towards the latter half of the year and that in consultations with Member States on scaling up the activities of UN-Habitat, requests for increases in financial contributions were well-received. The Acting Executive Director thanked Germany for their confirmation of EUR 1.0 million contribution and encouraged other Member States to follow suit.
The Acting Executive Director noted that with the incoming Executive Director, an additional push in resource mobilization and further commitments may be expected. He also noted that efforts were underway to strengthen UN-Habitat’s resource mobilization function, including through more capacities.
The Chair closed the agenda item and the report (HSP/EB/2024/INF/4) was adopted without further comment or reservation.
In light of the availability of time, the meeting decided, at the suggestions of the Chair, to take up Agenda items 8 and 10.
Agenda item 8: Preparations for the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum
UN-Habitat presented an update covering three key areas of the preparatory work towards the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12). This includes general updates, the WUF12 programme, and ways to engage. Recalling the third session of Executive Board for the year 2023, UN-Habitat noted that WUF12 will be held in the city of Cairo, Egypt, from 4 to 8 November 2024.
WUF is recognized in the current UN-Habitat strategic plan for the period 2020-2025 as a key vehicle for strengthening collaboration and partnerships with diverse stakeholders. The theme of WUF12, ‘It all starts at home: Local actions for sustainable cities and communities,’ focuses on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals and on the local actions and initiatives required to tackle current global challenges.
The WUF12 background paper focuses on the critical role local action can play in accelerating progress towards urban sustainability. UN-Habitat indicated that the paper had benefited from the inputs from Member States and over 2,600 partners and stakeholders. The paper has been available online since February 2024.
It was noted that the UN-Habitat task force on WUF12 provides overall guidance on all aspects related to the WUF preparatory process and has so far held three sessions since its inauguration on 19 December 2023, with a fourth session planned immediately after the first session of the Executive Board for the year 2024 and ahead of the second Steering Committee Meeting scheduled later in May 2024, hosted by the government of Egypt in Cairo.
UN-Habitat indicated that the official logo for WUF12, co-developed with the Host Country and UN-Habitat, has been finalized in January 2024, formally paving the way for branding and the development of advocacy materials for WUF12.
It was noted that the registration for participation was launched on 1 February 2024 and will remain open until 30 October 2024. The application period for partner-led events ended on 29 April 2024 with over 1,112 events submissions, the highest ever achieved. Application for the Urban cinema and Urban Expo remain open until 30 May and 31 July 2024, respectively. The host country is exploring possibilities to provide complimentary stands for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The Cairo Declared Actions at the end of the Forum are anticipated to build on commitments made at the Summit of the Future, contribute to outcomes agreed on at COP29, and provide messaging for the second World Summit for Social Development in 2025.
GERMANY offered condolences for flood impacts in Kenya, highlighting UN-Habitat’s role in promoting resilient cities. Germany stressed the importance of stakeholders engagement, urging transparent accreditation procedures and reporting on their engagements to the Executive Board.
Interventions by Member States
EGYPT assured Member States that all procedural items were underway on the government side including the selection of an event management company, logistical arrangements including accommodation and transport and the appointment of a national coordinator. Egypt shared the commitment to ensure an accessible and inclusive forum, as well as working with Azerbaijan towards WUF13.
COLOMBIA underscored WUF’s important role in global advocacy and mobilization including for stakeholder engagement and welcomed the relevance of the theme of the twelfth session in addressing global challenges. If further recalled its WUF alumni role and extended its support to Egypt in the WUF12 preparatory process, while appreciating ongoing regional mobilization efforts by UN-Habitat.
USA supported the plans to ensure an inclusive, accessible, sustainable and digitally-enabled WUF building on the last WUF in Katowice, Poland and expressed its commitment to engaging in partner-led events.
FRANCE noted that two of their national priorities on digital inclusion and housing were aligned to two of the dialogues at WUF12 and noted that it looks forward to engaging in Cairo.
KENYA pledged support for the session and underscored the need to track commitments through the outcome documents of the last WUF session in Katowice, Poland; to present the next issue of the World Cities Report; and to extend support to countries in need of financial support for participation.
GERMANY noted the role of WUF in mobilizing stakeholders and expressed its expectation of engagement by a wide variety of civil society representatives. It further requested for technical information regarding Urban Expo and costs, the detailed WUF12 programme, and the linkage of the Cairo Declared Actions with the Strategic Plan 2026-2029.
Agenda item 10: Update on the implementation of the United Nations development system reform in UN-Habitat
The Acting Executive Director reaffirmed UN-Habitat’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Development System (UNDS) reform, noting that the organization has repositioned itself as a key player in sustainable urbanization within the UN system, and emphasized its advocacy for urban sustainability to accelerate the New Urban Agenda and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UN-Habitat has embraced internal structural updates and operational adjustments, updated its regional architecture policy to enhance regional and country representation, and prioritized adaptation to the reform’s programming and delivery processes, although facing resource limitations. UN-Habitat hopes these efforts will help clarify practices and facilitate oversight, ensuring alignment with UNDS reform objectives.
The Funding Compact was noted as insufficient to address UNDS reform and an appeal was made to Member States for further contributions.
Interventions by Member States
SWEDEN thanked UN-Habitat and appealed for stronger ownership and integrated coordination by all members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group regardless of their mandates. Sweden noted the need to focus on joint development results, especially on funding, while requesting further reporting on entity-specific efficiency gains and contributions to system-wide efficiency gains.
USA encouraged joint work to strengthen UNDS delivery, while underscoring the voluntary nature of contributions to the Funding Compact and emphasizing the need to broaden the donor base. USA raised concerns on the strategic communications and the linkage between funding and impact on the ground.
MEXICO emphasized the importance of the Funding Compact toward the UNDS reform and expressed the need to strengthen the accountability framework in terms of provision of services, especially for UN country teams.
PORTUGAL requested further updates on what worked well and areas for potential improvement in the UNDS reform, and how UN-Habitat’s work can be better absorbed by the UN country teams.
The Chair closed the agenda item and the report was adopted without further comment or reservation.