Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) - General Assembly, 103rd Plenary meeting, 80th session

I declare open the 103rd plenary meeting of the General Assembly.
The Assembly will continue its consideration of Agenda Item 178 entitled, Follow up to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Program to hear the remaining speakers in the high level meeting of the Assembly on the midterm review of the New Urban Agenda.
Before giving the floor to the first speaker from my list, I would like to remind delegations that the time limit will be 5 minutes for individual delegations.
And 7 minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of states, which will be strictly enforced by means of automatic microphone cutoff.
To assist delegations in managing their time, a countdown clock will be displayed on the screens.
Please be aware that the remaining speaking time is displayed on the left hand side of the rostrum.
Having said this, I would appeal to all speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace in order to facilitate interpretation into the six official languages.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Hossain Awad Mohamed Sid, Minister of Public Works and Roadways of Yemen.
Mr.
President, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we meet today to take stock of the decade that passed since the adoption of the new urban agenda and to chart the course for the next decade leading to 2036 Urban sustainable development is no longer a complimentary option.
It is the arena where the cross cutting issues of climate, peace, and human security converge as confirmed by the SG reports and the midterm review currently under discussion today.
Mr.
President, Yemen's urban experience is a stark example of the complex challenges that our plans must address for the second decade.
Our cities are not facing normal demographic growth.
We are facing a forced urban expansion.
The years of conflict have led to unprecedented waves of internal displacement in the direction of safe urban centers, leading to an intense pressure on the housing, land, and basic service sectors.
This fast urban sprawl, coupled with a poor urban advanced planning and the adverse effects of climate change and floods has put our cities on a direct confrontation path with cities that lack advanced plans to provide decent decent safe housing for its citizens as the agenda advocates.
Ladies and gentlemen, our vision in the Yemen Republic for the next decade is based on transformation from temporary crisis management to sustainable urban recovery.
We believe that peace building starts with reshaping the urban space, providing decent housing for displaced persons and host communities alike, and planning cities that are resilient to both climate crises and social shocks.
We hope that the political declaration of this midterm review would include a genuine international commitment in support of urban resilience strategies in post conflict countries.
We need effective partnerships that help us move in the direction.
Of spatial planning, strengthen urban management capacities, and provide innovative financing mechanisms that do not only provide tents and temporary shelters but also build sustainable and integrated urban communities.
We can only achieve the goals of the new urban agenda by 2036 if cities in developing and conflict affected countries are at the core of this global effort.
The right of each person to a safe and sustainable city is an inherent right.
No one should be left behind.
Thank you for your attention and God's peace be upon you.
I thank the Minister of Public Works and Roadways of Yemen.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr.
Musa Bada Fufana, Minister of Urban Planning, local communities and Regional Development of Senegal.
President President, Executive Director of UN Habitat.
Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, allow me at the outset to commend the organizers of this high level meeting on the new urban agenda.
Ten years after its adoption in Kyoto, this meeting is an important milestone for taking stock of progress to achieve, identifying remaining challenges, and reaffirming our common ambition to build cities and communities that are more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and prosperous.
My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of G 77 in China, as well as the African group.
In this regard, ZengGo remains fully committed to the implementation of the new urban agenda, which it views as a key driver for attaining the SDGs, especially SDG 11.
As part of the Senegal 2030 vision, structural reforms have allowed us to make significant progress, especially with a project that helped to implement over 900 infrastructure units while strengthening local governance.
We also have launched decentralization initiatives on July 2nd, 2026, confirming our ambition of making cities real drivers of national transformation.
Since 2016, significant strides have been made.
We have strengthened our urban planning framework and begun planning our work for major land planning reforms, and we have placed local communities at the heart of the implementation of public policy.
The government has also launched key initiatives Focused on access to housing, promoting better planned urban development, strengthening our city's resilience to climate change, and reducing inequalities between regions.
More recently, we adopted a national framework for attaining the SDGs on our territory and carried out the first voluntary review in the city of Beijing.
We've also launched a sector for territorial development and have begun a trend toward local land use development for several regions that drive economic growth.
This demonstrates our desire to make regions and provinces a real driver of national growth.
However, challenges remain.
Urban growth Since it is so rapid, it's putting strain on infrastructure, essential services, housing, mobility, and public equipment, the effects of climate change are accentuating the vulnerability of many cities, while the financial capacity of local communities remain insufficient for addressing all of the need that exists.
Implementing the new urban agenda over the past decade requires focusing on four priorities.
First of all, strengthening local governance by consolidating decentralization and coordination between the state and local governments.
Secondly, investing more in urban planning based on reliable data, risk anticipation and sound management of real estate.
Thirdly, developing innovative mechanisms for Local financing to bolster investment in urban infrastructure, housing, and essential services.
Lastly, the environmental transition in our cities should be fostered based on some nature based solutions, better climate resilience, and low carbon urbanization.
We are also pleased to reaffirm our commitment to pursuing the new Urban agenda in keeping with the 2030 Senegal vision, the 2063 agenda of the African Union, and the SDGs.
We are also pleased to strengthen our partnership with UN habitat, The Local Coalition 2030, multilateral development banks, technical and financial partners, as well as local governments for the development of innovative mechanisms to build up our capacity for cooperation and development.
Senegal remains fully committed to contributing to this global momentum to ensure that the Neven becomes a tangible reality for all cities, territories, and populations.
Thank you.
I thank the Minister of Urban Planning, local government, and Regional Development of Senegal.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Jose Carlos Estes, Minister of Public Works Housing and Urban Planning of Guinea Bissau.
Excellence.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor to be taking the floor on behalf of the Republic of Guinea Bissau.
At the outset, I'd like to say that we align ourselves with this statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G 77 and China.
During this midterm review of the new urban agenda, which was adopted almost a decade ago, we took on the collective commitment of building inclusive, safe, sustainable cities in accordance with SDG 11.
Today, it is time to take stock of progress made, correct our trajectory, and accelerate efforts to ensure that no one is left behind.
Excellencies, Bua Bissau, demographic growth, which is rapid, as well as the rural exodus are a highly complex challenge.
These flows are focused in our capital, the city of Bisau.
We are facing a large number of informal structures which has led to untenable pressure on housing, sanitation, energy, and mobility.
The impact on the environment is also troubling.
The unchecked development of our wetlands and sensitive ecosystems jeopardizes our biodiversity.
Our populations are paying a heavy price for this degradation.
They are on the front lines of cyclic flooding and natural disasters, ladies and gentlemen.
Our main domestic challenge is institutional fragility, a lack of technical capacity.
We coordination between the various sectors as well as financial limitations are hampering the implementation of comprehensive urban policies.
However, Guinea Bissau is not giving up.
We remain firmly committed to the principles of the New Urban Agenda.
We know that land use planning and local governance are crucial for our resilience.
That is why we are issuing an urgent call to the international community to bolster technical and financial cooperation.
We must invest together in climate resilient infrastructure and modernize our regional information systems.
In closing, this midterm review that we are doing today must not be simply a diagnostic exercise.
It ought to galvanize our political resolve to transform crises into opportunities.
Guinea Bissau reaffirms its determination to work together with all of its partners to build together, cities that generate wealth, protect nature, and guarantee dignity to all of our citizens.
Therefore, we support the Declaration of UN Habitat here at this Assembly, and I thank you for your attention.
I thank the Distinguished Minister of Public Works, Housing and Urban Planning of Guinea Bissau.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Ahmad E Gamba, Minister of and Regional Government and religious Affairs of Gambia.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the government of the Republic of Gambia, I'm honored to participate in this high level meeting and to join fellow member states in assessing our collective progress at the midpoint of the implementation of the new Urban agenda.
This is opportunity to commend the United Nations, UN Habitat, and all partners for their leadership in advancing sustainable urbanization as a critical pathway towards achieving sustainable development goals.
Mr.
President, like many developing countries, Gambia is facing rapid urban transformation, increasing pressure from population growth, rural urban migration, housing deficit, informal settlement expansion, demands for infrastructure, and the growing impact of climate change on our urban and coastal areas.
The Gambia is progressively working towards strengthening urban governance and promoting balanced territorial development with the formulation of the Gambia and policy 2026 2035, the review of legal instrument and reforms aimed at improving land administration, enhancing local government system, strengthening decentralization, and promoting integrated planning approaches that support sustainable urban growth.
These efforts are guided by our commitment to reducing poverty, We are also strengthening evidence based planning to better inform urban policy and decision making while recognizing the central role of local governments in localizing the sustainable development goals and translating global commitment into tangible improvements.
Recognizing that land is a fundamental pillar of sustainable urbanization, the Gambia continue to prioritize equitable access to land, improve land governance, and responsible land management practices.
It is our belief that secure land rights are essential for housing development, investment, and social inclusion, and economic empowerment.
Despite these ongoing reforms, significant housing deficit persists, particularly among low and middle income earners, owing to financial and technical constraints.
Challenges also remain in expanding access to basic services, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable transport.
Climate change further compounds these challenges.
Rising sea level, coastal erosion, flooding, and extreme weather event pose serious risks to our urban settlement infrastructure and livelihoods.
Addressing these challenges require greater investment in climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure, and risk informed urban planning.
Integrated urban planning will be essential to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities that are better equipped to respond to climate and development challenges.
At the national level, the Gambia with the support of the world banks in implementing the West African Coastal Area management, the workup project to reduce flood risk and strengthen the resilience of communities along the coast stream through nature based solutions while reinforcing national policies and public institutions.
Excellence distinct delegates to achieve more progress and towards 2036 and address the existing gaps, we must focus on the following.
One, increasing investment in affordable housing, strengthen access to sustainable urban finance, increase concessional financing and mobilization of public and private investment, reinforce multilevel governance and international cooperation.
In this regard, the Gambia call for stronger participation to promote knowledge sharing, capacity development, technological transfer, increased access to climate change finance and climate resilience.
We further underscore the application of science, technology and innovation, including digital solution, partial technologies, and artificial intelligence to strengthen urban planning and service delivery, monitoring and evidence based decision making.
Robust urban data system will be equally important to ensure that policies respond to effectively to emerging realities.
This, ladies and gentlemen, The challenges before us are significant, but so too are the opportunities sustainable urbanization offers to pathway to economic growth and social inclusion, environmental sustainability and human dignity.
The decision we make today will save the future of billions of people and determine whether we leave future generation cities and communities that are resilient, prosperous, and equitable.
This midterm review also is an opportunity to assess and renew our collective ambition and commitment to sustainable urbanization.
I submit.
Thank you.
I thank the Minister of L and, Regional Government and Regs Affairs.
And now give the floor to His Excellency Skafsf of Med, the Minister of Housing and Land of Mauritius.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, ten years ago in Quito, we adopted the new urban agenda, and we called it a promise to the people who live in the cities of the world.
Today, at the midpoint, let me be honest with ourselves.
1.16 billion people live in slums and informal settlements today, 170 million more than when we made that promise in Quito.
3 billion nearly four in every ten human beings on this planet do not have adequate housing.
Those are not my figures, they are in the Secretary-General own report before us.
Yes, there has been progress on transport, on land use, on services, but on housing itself, on the very promise we came here to renew, the numbers do not lie.
Let me say it plainly on the promise that matters most, we are not behind schedule, we are moving in the wrong direction.
I represent a small island of 1.3 million people in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
We did not cause the climate crisis, and yet in Mauritius, every centimeter of sea level rise is measured in lost homes, lost roads, lost livelihoods.
Paul Petit.
For the small island developing states, the new urban agenda is not a public policy document, it is a document of survival.
If this agenda is a document of survival for island nations, it must also be one for those whose homes have been destroyed by war.
We cannot speak credibly about adequate housing in this hall while in conflict zones and war torn areas across the world, entire neighborhoods are reduced to rubble.
The right to a home does not extend at a cease fire line.
It does not end where a bomb falls.
Mauritia stands with international humanitarian law and with the right of every displaced family to return, to rebuild, and to live in dignity.
That is why Mauritius has not waited.
We have brought into force our national development strategy, a binding spatial vision that defends our coastline and refuses the false choice between development and environment.
We have made housing the highest priority of this government because a family without a home has no dignity and a nation without dignity has no future.
In a small island state, resilience is not a chapter in a policy paper.
It is the difference between a village that stands and a village that disappears.
But Excellencies, the costs of the climate crisis cannot be billed to the countries that are least responsible for it.
From this rostrum, Mauritius makes three calls.
First, the declaration we adopt tomorrow must not be another reaffirmation.
It must contain measurable, time bound commitments with names, numbers, and deadlines.
Second, climate and urban finance for small island developing states must be simplified, concessional, and accessible in years, not decades.
The next cyclone will not wait for our next application form.
Third, We must finally accept that housing crisis is no longer a developing country problem.
It is a human condition of the 21st century.
From Portie to Paris, from Nairobi to New York, from every war torn city to every rising coastline, our people are asking the same question, where can I afford to live? Where can I rebuild? We owe them the same answer a home.
Exit.
Excellencies, the future of our cities will determine the future of our nations and the future of our islands will determine whether this agenda is worth the paper it's written on.
Let us not leave this room with a new declaration.
Let us leave it with a decision.
I thank you.
I thank you.
I thank the Minister of Housing and Lands of Mauritius, and I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Ponicoi, Minister of Lodging of Guyana.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
At the outset, Ghana welcomes the convening of this high level meeting on the midterm review of the new urban agenda and welcomes the adoption of the political Declaration renewing our commitment to inclusive urban development.
This critical milestone provides a timely opportunity for the international community to assess our collective progress, identify areas where implementation continues to lag and strengthen the commitments and partnerships necessary to advance sustainable urbanization over the decade ahead.
New urban agenda remains an important global framework for advancing sustainable urbanization and supporting the achievements of the sustainable development goals.
As the midterm review confirms, while policy frameworks have advanced and urban issues have gained greater prominence, implementation has not kept pace with the scale and the urgency of today's challenges.
It is clear that the global housing deficit, financing constraints, institutional capacity gaps, and increasing climate risks require practical solutions and sustained collaboration if we are to deliver meaningful results.
For Guyana, housing is a national priority and a cornerstone of national development.
It has created opportunities for families to build wealth, support access to education, health care, and employment, strengthen communities, and contribute to social stability.
Housing development must not be treated as incidental to or separate from national development agenda.
It must be central to it.
Envisage and planned alongside infrastructure, public services, and economic opportunities that enable communities to thrive.
Guided by our low carbon development strategy 2030, Ghana pursues an integrated approach to housing and urban development that balances economic transformation with environmental stewardship and climate resilience.
It recognizes that sustainable urban must respond to the realities of climate change while creating opportunities for inclusive economic growth and improved quality of life.
To this end, we continue to expand access to affordable housing, strengthening housing finance through policy reforms and partnerships with financial institutions, regularize informal settlements, and invest in the development of communities across urban, peri urban, rural, and indigenous areas.
As a result of the government of Ghana's commitment, from 2020 to present, Ghana has allocated more than 56,000 house lots, which is a testament to our commitment to expanding home ownership while creating sustainable communities supported by the infrastructure and services that improve the quality of life for every beneficiary of subsidized housing.
These investments extend beyond the construction of homes.
They include the building out of critical infrastructure such as roads, highways, drainage, water and sanitation system, public, open spaces, recreation facilities, and other community infrastructure that support safe, inclusive and sustainable neighborhoods.
Our objective is to create communities where families are not only adequately housed, but are also connected to other social development opportunities.
This integrated approach recognizes that housing outcomes are strengthened when land use planning, infrastructure investment, and community development are pursued together.
As a low lying coastal state with 90% of its people residing on the coast, Ghana remains acutely aware of the growing risks associated with climate change.
Building resilience is therefore an essential component of our housing and urban development agenda.
One example of this approach is the development of Slicca City envisioned as a modern climate smart urban center that will support sustainable growth, reduce development pressures along Guhaa's vulnerable coastline, and demonstrate the importance of long term planning in building resilient communities.
President.
As we look towards 2036, the challenge before us is no longer one of policy ambition, rather, it is one of implementation of scale.
Achieving the objectives of the new urban agenda will require a whole of society approach with particular focus on financing for SIDS.
This practical approach will ensure that global commitments translate into measurable outcomes.
Guyana therefore welcomes the renewed emphasis placed by this midterm review on implementation, partnerships, and accountability.
We support continued international cooperation that strengthens national capacity, expands access to adequate and affordable housing, and enable countries to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.
The next decade presents an opportunity to narrow the gap between commitment and delivery.
The task before us is clear.
Let us Merci.
Thank you, sir.
Minister demo I thank the Minister of Housing of Guyana.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Gian Voto de Mola, Secretary for Internal Affairs and local government of the Philippines.
Mr.
President, Your Excellencies, the Philippines views sustainable urbanization not simply as managing development of cities, but as creating communities where every person can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.
Since the launch of the new Urbanin agenda, we transformed this global vision into a strategic Philippine government blueprint, ensuring that sustainable development is embedded in governance plans and policies.
The challenge now lies in keeping up with the population growth, displacement brought about by disasters and other emerging threats that hamper community development and economic progress.
We wish to highlight a number of points.
First, we recognize that access to adequate housing remains a development challenge.
The Philippines continues to provide secure land tenure and housing opportunities for underserved communities.
We push for a stronger social contract between the government and large recipients to ensure accountability and greater access to adequate housing.
Second, climate change continues to challenge urban development and environmental protection.
As one of the world's most disaster prone countries, risk informed comprehensive land use plans are regularly reviewed and implemented to enable local governments to anticipate hazards, guide responsible development, protect vulnerable populations, and safeguard critical infrastructure.
We also harmonize local plans on developing gender, inclusivity, disaster risk management, and climate change adaptation into a single integrated plan to strengthen better foresight among decision makers.
Third, We leverage digital transformation to deliver citizen centric public services and drive dynamic local economic growth.
Business permit one stop shops, digitized government transactions, and revamped emergency response systems, open doors for streamlined service delivery that remote investments, job opportunities, and economic activity.
At the center of all our efforts are local governments.
The Philippines has consistently advocated for a bottom up model of governance and development.
Local governments are frontline change makers in innovating sustainable urban development practices and translate them into concrete local solutions.
Lastly, sustainable urbanization means growing smart.
As chair of the As Asean Smart Cities Network, the Philippines is leading the region in exploring new avenues for smart city development and people centered innovations.
This is critical to foster regional coordination for a new urban agenda while scaling progress on the sustainable development goals.
Excellencies, the challenges we face are shared and so must be our solutions.
Thank you very much.
I thank the Secretary of the Department of the Interior Government of the Philippines and I now give the floor to Excellency Mr.
Abd Wendie, Minister of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan.
Distinguished President, Your Excellency's, distinguished delegates, on behalf of the government of Turkmenistan, I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly.
And UN habitat, as well as all partners that have taken part in this important high level meeting on the midterm review of the new urban agenda.
This meeting is the timely occasion to take stock of progress achieved since the adoption of the new Urban agenda in 2016 to identify remaining challenges and to reaffirm our common commitment to sustainable urban development in the upcoming decade.
The new urban agenda remains a comprehensive global framework for the promotion of inclusive, sustainable, safe, and viable cities as one of the key tools for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, It facilitates the achievement of all sustainable development goals.
Turkmenistan, which is great importance on sustainable urban development is one of the key areas of national development and consistently has been implementing large scale programs for housing construction, modernization of utility and transport infrastructure.
For developing municipal services as well as social infrastructure facilities, ensuring the integrated development of cities and creating a favorable environment for the decent, safe, and comfortable life of citizens.
A clear example of Turkhanistan's commitment to innovative development of cities is the City of Arkadg planned and built in accordance with modern smart city principles, it incorporates cutting edge digital technologies, smart transport systems, energy efficient infrastructure, and environmentally conscious building standards.
The city of Ardag embodies Turkmenistan's efforts to introduce innovative technologies to enhance the urban environment and to apply principles of environmental sustainability.
Distinguished precedent, dynamic urban development, highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation and expanding partnerships at all levels.
Turkmenistan greatly values cooperation with the UN development system and international partners as well as the promotion and principles of sustainable urbanization.
We believe that the adoption of the outcome document will be an important step toward further promoting sustainable urban development, strengthening international cooperation, and effectively implementing the goals and targets of the new urban agenda for 2036.
In closing, I'd like to express my confidence that the outcomes of today's meeting will facilitate further development of international cooperation, strengthening of partnerships, and the promotion of the goals of the New Urban Agenda.
Thank you.
I thank the Minister of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Oliver Salkua, Minister of Land, Housing and Survey of the Solomon Islands.
Madam President, excellencies.
My delegation welcome the convening of this high level meeting to review progress in implementing a new Urban agenda.
Ten years ago, we committed ourselves to shared visions of cities and human settlements that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Today, Solomon Islands reaffirms its commitment to the new Urban agenda and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
This commitment is deeply embedded in our national development strategy, NDS 2016 to 2025, which is driven by our national vision of improving the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.
Although Solomon Islands remains predominantly rural, our urban population continued to grow rapidly, particularly in Huna and emerging provincial centers with a higher population growth rate of 3% and a demographic structure where 70% of our population is under 29-years-old, we are facing rapid unplanned urban expansion.
Urban growth presents significant opportunities to economic development and improved access to services.
At the same time, it places increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure, public services, land administration, and the environment, leading to the complex growth of informal settlements.
For the Solomon Islands, climate change is also reshaping the future of our towns and settlements.
Sea levels are rising, coastal flooding is becoming more frequent and extreme weather events continue to threaten communities, critical infrastructure and livelihoods.
These realities reinforce the need to integrate climate resilience into every aspect of urban planning and development.
The Salmon Islands Urban Policy governance response, providing a framework for managing urbanization in a coordinated and sustainable manner.
It also aligns with the national disaster managed policy, which aims to build climate resilient and disaster resilient towns.
Though these national efforts, we have made encouraging progress.
Today, more than 93% of all storming Islanders living in urban areas have access to improve drinking water sources, while over 81% have access to improve sanitation services.
We are also investing in transformative infrastructure through Strong and partnerships.
Latina River hydropower will provide cleaner and more affordable electricity while supporting our transition to renewable energy.
As we move forward, we recognize that successful labor and development must be inclusive, participatory and people centered, women, young people, persons with disabilities, customer landowners and vulnerable communities must all have a voice in shaping the feature of our cities and settlements.
Addressing the challenges of informal settlements requires integrated solutions that combine secure land tenure, affordable housing, improved basic services, education and skills development, and meaningful community participation.
Equally important is improving rural living standards to alleviate the poverty that drives urban migration.
Madam President, partnerships remain essential.
The SDG 17 recognizes this.
We therefore call to strengthen international cooperation, increased access to climate and urban development finance to close the current SD financing gaps, capacity building for urban planning and governance.
Technology transfer and innovation building upon recent success like the Coral Sea cable system and the massive network of 161 telecommunication towers across Solomon Islands, under the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project, is transforming our digital connectivity, support to resilient infrastructure and nature based solutions, and enhance partnership that respond directly to the specific needs of small island development states.
Madam President, as we enter the second half of implementing the new Urban agenda, Soman islands remains committed to building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements that leave no one behind.
We stand ready to work with all member states, EN habitat and our development partners to translate our communities into meaningful action that improves I thank the Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey of the Solomon Islands.
I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Sul Mates Deus, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Governance, Justice and Decentralization of Honduras.
Very good afternoon Your Excellency, President of the General Assembly, Excellency, Distinguished Director of UN Habitat, Distinguished representatives of Friendly Nations.
I have the honor of representing Honduras at this crucial point of the midterm review.
We believe that the development of the nation it's absolutely fundamental about miation to build from the foundations to ensure that the territory is able to support the life of the population.
Today, 54% of our population lives in urban areas with a growth rate of 3.1% annually, the second highest in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean.
This demographic momentum has led to significant changes, significant structural challenges and deficits in land ownership, but it also represents an opportunity.
As the youth proportion of the population has become a demographic boon for the future of Honduras.
For the government led by our president, this document represents a technical roadmap for achieving social justice.
To it guides the government of justice and decentralization that I lead and together, we are driving the first national territorial Urban policy for 2026 through 2040.
This is not just a document, it represents a social and institutional compact coordinated with the methodology of UN habitat.
It clearly addresses metrics and it represents our guide to democratize access to land, organize land use across the territory, and ensure the right to housing.
In order to make this a reality, we have a functional structure with the government of municipal infrastructure.
We are decentralizing technical capacity directly to the local governments, equipping them with the scientific tools that they need to ensure governance of land use and strategic plans for urban development.
We also have a vital instrument which is our framework law on the housing sector and human settlements.
This sits in the context of our framework of territorial decentralization and development of the current administration and we are making progress across three strategic axes.
Firstly, local development and the simplification of territorial administration in order to promote import investment and exports because we believe that an organized municipality is prosperous.
A significant amount of GDP is directed directly at ensuring cadass and to generate direct investment and generate employment.
Secondly, strengthening municipal autonomy by accompanying mayors, men and women in the design of urban plans with a territorial focus and strengthening institutional capacity for implementation of these instruments.
Thirdly, Active resilience to climate change.
As one of the most vulnerable regions of the world, the participation of Honduras in the regional project, local solutions for disaster risk reduction in Latin America and the Caribbean is a state priority.
We are implementing mitigation works and community systems in those areas that are most vulnerable in two strategic municipalities, a capital and the main southern zone of the country.
I the SSG report is clear, sustainable development requires more agile multilaterlism and financing that truly reaches local governments.
Honduras fully supports the adoption of this summit with a view to ensuring the steps through 2030 and we are working hand in hand with local governments.
Honduras is making progress towards a future where our municipalities are drivers of equity and resilience.
I thank you for your attention.
I thank the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Governance Justice and decentralization of Honduras.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr.
Williams, Minister of State, Local Administration and Community Development of Jamaica.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, for Jamaica as a small island developing state, sustainable urbanization is not merely a development priority.
It is an essential component of our resilience, prosperity, and long term survival.
Today, more than half of Jamaica's population resides in urban areas.
Therefore, our cities and towns remain engines of economic growth, innovation, and social development.
However, they face interconnected challenges, including informal settlements, increased crime and violence, housing deficits, infrastructure pressures, environmental degradation, and increasing exposure to climate related hazards.
Through enabling legislation and policies, Jamaica continues to advance a people oriented approach to urban development, aimed at promoting sustainable housing, urban regeneration, resilient infrastructure, enhanced mobility, and equitable access to services.
Excellencies, the relevance of the new urban agenda has been brought into even sharper focus by the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.
Struck Jamaica in October 2025 as the first category five hurricane to make direct landfall on our island.
The hurricane caused unprecedented destruction across several parishes, damaging homes, critical infrastructure, public facilities, agricultural lands, and community assets, while highlighting the growing vulnerabilities of urban and rural settlements to the impacts of climate change.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, Jamaica has embraced the principle of building back better.
As such, our reconstruction and housing initiatives seek to improve housing quality, strengthen building standards, reduce vulnerability to disasters, and promote secure and dignified living conditions for all citizens.
A key pillar of our reconstruction is the establishment of the National Reconstruction and resilient authority, NARA, designed to lead, coordinate, and accelerate post disaster rebuilding and strategic infrastructure in a resilient manner.
However, even as we have made progress, our efforts have been hindered by systemic inadequate local and technical capacity and financing gaps.
Global fiscal pressures, rising debt, and a need for enforcement of aligned urban rural planning frameworks continue to restrict localized investments at scale.
Jamaica is therefore of the firm view that the successful implementation of the new urban agenda requires effective partnerships.
There is continued need for sustained enhanced international funding and agency partnerships, concessional financing, technology transfer, and capacity building support for small island developing states.
Climate related disasters become more frequent and intense, accessible financing at the level and scale required for resilient urban infrastructure and recovery must remain a global priority.
In closing, Jamaica reaffirms its commitment to the new urban agenda and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
We remain determined to advance sustainable urbanization as a pathway to resilience, prosperity, and dignity for all.
I thank you.
I thank the Minister for local communities of Jamaica and I give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Jancisco Local Policy of Poland.
Chair Excellency's distinguished delegates, the new Urban agenda has inspired countries around the world, including Poland, to rethink how we plan, manage and develop our cities.
It became a key reference point for shaping our national Urban policy of 2030, which was announced during the 11th session of the World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland in 2022.
It has influenced European cooperation, including the Urban agenda for the European Union by promoting integrated place based approaches, and stronger partnerships across sectors and levels of government.
Ten years after its adoption, the new urban agenda has also shown that sustainable urban development is not only a national responsibility, but it's a shared shared global commitment that requires solidarity, partnership and mutual learning.
Me stress that in Poland, the implementation of the new Urban agenda is being advanced through the provisions of the National Urban Policy of 2030.
This is more than a strategic document.
It is underpinned by a dedicated implementation plan that provides a comprehensive framework for for its effective implementation with progress overseen by the Ministerial Executive Council.
This governance model demonstrates Poland's commitment to coordinated, coherent, and cross sectoral action.
It provides a practical example of how integrated policymaking across government can effectively support the sustainable development of cities and translate strategic objectives into measurable effects.
Allow me to highlight two challenges that are particularly important for the future of urban development in Poland and which are also shared by cities and communities around the world.
That is the climate change and housing.
Since 2016, Poland has made substantial progress in strengthening its national framework for urban climate adaptation.
A concrete example of this approach is the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework requiring all cities with more than 20,000 inhabitants to prepare urban adaptation plans.
These plans incorporate climate risk assessments, adaptation objectives, urban greening solutions, and sustainable rainwater management measures.
Poland also pursues an active state housing policy.
The fundamental objectives of this policy are to increase the availability and the affordability of housing as well as to improve housing conditions across the country.
A key priority is expanding affordable rental housing by supporting social and municipal housing, by providing housing cost assistance, by expanding social rental agencies, and by regulating short term rentals.
Also seek to improve the quality, technical condition, and energy efficiency of the housing stock, both in the biggest metropolis and in small towns and cities.
Another essential pillar of sustainable urban development in Poland is strengthening the institutional and administrative capacity of local governance, particularly medium sized cities.
Our flagship project called Cities Cities Partnership Initiative, implemented together with the World Bank is a practical example of how the principles of the new urban agenda can be translated into action.
Notice with concern the impact of global crisis, especially conflicts on SDGs implementation.
This applies clearly to SDG 11.
Therefore, Poland constantly emphasizes that peace and security are undeniable conditions for sustainable development.
As an EcoSc member, Poland is actively engaged in the debate how to accelerate the 2030 agenda, including the SDG 11.
We see here a key role of resilience building of resilience building and reducing inequalities.
It also requires full involvement of various stakeholders, public administration and government, but also local levels, the private sector and what is key here, local communities and civil society organizations.
In the face of rapid demographic changes in urbanization, it is also essential to ensure parallel social development, healthy environment, and human rights, including cultural rights.
Thank you so much for your attention.
Than the Secretary of State, the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy of Poland.
And I give you the floor station, the Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation.
Distinguished distinguished Excellencies, the Russian Federation welcomes the holding of this midterm review of the New Urban Agenda and the adoption of the Declaration.
The past decade has shown that sustainable urban development is possible only when international guidance is transformed into concrete national decisions, taking into account local particularities, the level of economic development, and the needs of citizens.
Today, practical solutions to the issue of accessible affordable housing and development of infrastructure must be at the heart of our joint efforts.
We believe that the new Urban Agenda implementation is first and foremost a state responsibility.
Participation of regional and local authorities, expert communities, business, and NGOs can contribute to this effort significantly.
However, the review should not lead to the development of new obligations for states parties.
The Russian Federation carries out this work based upon long term planning.
We're implementing our strategy for the development of construction housing utilities for 2030 with a projection toward 2035.
At the same time, we're developing our municipal and social infrastructure, enhancing public spaces, and we're creating modern conditions of life for citizens.
One of the key areas of work is the tradition toward integrated master planning.
Master planning must combine socioeconomic development strategy, spatial and budget planning and ensure a direct link between long term goals and specific infrastructure projects.
We prioritize modernization of utilities infrastructure and the establishment of a pleasant urban environment.
Sustainable development is not possible without reliable water supply, plumbing, heating, accessible public transport, and high quality public spaces.
This action area directly affects the health, safety, and everyday well being of people as well as the improvement of the situation.
We pay special attention to digitalizing urban governance and introducing the smart city technology.
The use of geospatial technologies, digital services, and AI must take into account national regulations and requirements with regard to data confidentiality and safety and technological sovereignty.
For the next ten years, we should prioritize making cost of living affordable renovating the housing stock and utilities infrastructure, integrated area development, and managing natural and manmade risk.
Climate issues must take into account must be viewed through the lens of national specificities and circumstances of states in relevant international processes.
The new urban agenda should not be turned into a standalone climate regime or duplicate existing negotiation mechanisms.
We should also pay attention to the reconstruction of cities and towns after natural disasters.
We cannot ignore the negative impact of illegitimate unilateral coercive measures and sustainable urban development.
These restrictions hinder the access of states to financing, technologies, equipment, construction materials, and software.
Ultimately, it is city residents who suffer.
Financial instruments for urban development ought to be adopted on a voluntary basis and should not create additional tax burdens or impose new conditions on developing states.
Russia is prepared to continue its exchange of practical experience with regard to housing construction, urban planning, modernization of municipal infrastructure, and the establishment of a comfortable urban environment and digitalization.
Thank you.
I thank the Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation.
And I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Mkmpasam Monk May, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport of the La De Republic.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, listening, delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the covenant of the Lao PDR, I extend our sincere appreciation to the President of General Assembly for convening this important high level meeting.
We welcome this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the new urban agenda and to share La PDR progress and priority as we look towards 2026.
Excellencies, a decade ago, La PR was thin, predominantly rural.
Today, our urban population is growing at nearly three times the national population growth rate, placing sustainable urbanization at the center of our national development agenda.
We recognize that Bmin urbanization is not only a response to the demographic change, but also a powerful driver of the economic growth, resilience, and improved quality of life.
This commitment was demonstrated by La PPIA becoming the first country in the Asia Pacific region to submit its national report on the implementation of the new urban agenda in 2023.
Guided by our National Socio Economic Development plans, the five year development plans, we have made important progress over the past decade.
Access to the safe water now reaches almost all of our urban population, while more than 90% of households have access to the adequate and affordable housing.
We have integrated climate rest into the urban planning, promoted nature based solutions to reduce fraud risk, nened, decentralized urban governance, and advanced digital planning to our national smart city strategy and urban planning information system.
Ladies and gentlemen, looking ahead, our PDR, we focus on the three priorities.
First, we've been strengthened, integrated, and climate informed and that driving urban planning through our one city one plan approach, ensuring balanced territory development and resilient infrastructure.
Second, we will expand innovative financing by strengthening public private partnership, blended finance and regional cooperation to scale sustainable urban investment.
Third, we will improve housing, basic services, sustainable mobility, and resilient urban infrastructure, especially in rapidly growing and secondary cities.
Across all these priorities, we remain committed to ensuring the women, children, elder persons, persons with disability, and ethnic communities are fully included, leaving no one behind.
Excellences.
We call upon international community, the inhabited and our development partners to continue supporting LPDR through sustained technical cooperation, capacity development, climate, finance, and investment in resilient urban infrastructure.
Lao PR reaffirms its unwavering commitment to new urban agenda and stand ready to continue working with member states to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlement for business and future generation.
Thank you.
Is Minister for the I thank the Vice Chief Minister Prev Works and Transport of the Lau PDR and I now for His Excellency, Mr.
Krišto Polakov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.
Mr.
President, Excellency, distinguished, ladies and gentlemen.
Bulgaria welcomes the high level meeting on the midterm review of the new urban agenda as a timely opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive urban development and the importance of multilateral cooperation in this crucial moment of implementation.
Since 2016, important progress has been made in strengthening integrated and territorial approaches to urban development, bringing policy framework closer to coordinated place based solutions, In Bulgaria, this is reflected in improved coordination between municipalities and regions across infrastructure, social and economic priorities.
However, implementation gaps remain significant.
They are linked to fragmented governance, and even administrative capacity, and limited investment capacity in smaller and rural areas.
Compounded by demographic decline, climate risks and persistent territorial disparities.
In this context, Bulgaria sees the next decade as one of delivery, where integrated place based approaches become the standard for urban policy.
This is already reflected in our practice true territorial planning enabling, coordinated investments in transport, urban infrastructure, social services, energy efficiency, and environmental action, and strengthening cooperation between municipalities and region.
Three priorities guide our approaches.
First, stronger multilayer level government through better coordination between national, regional, and municipal authorities, and improved alignment of sectoral policies with territorial needs.
Secondly, integrated place based investment, including urban regeneration, sustainable transport, climate adaptation, and modernization of the building stuff, In this context, Bulgaria has developed a national Building renovation plan, which targets to 2030, 2040 and 2050 and focuses on energy efficiency, renewable energy, integration, and climate resilience.
Thirdly, stronger territorial cohesion by reducing disparities between urban and rural areas and improving functional links across regions, ensuring equal access to services and opportunities.
At the same time, demographic change should be fully integrated into planning given its territorial impact.
Distinguish excellencies.
Bulgaria remains firmly committed to integrated territorial development based on partnership between national, regional and local actors.
We continue to use integrated territorial investment as a key instrument to reduce disparities and ensure coordinated action across all levels of governance.
We're advancing a national housing strategy for affordable and social housing, renovation of the housing stock, and targeted support for vulnerable groups.
In parallel, Bulgaria is implementing a large scale building renovation program focused on energy efficiency, renewed energy implementation and climate adaptation supported by long term financing frameworks, including our social climate plan.
We remain committed to cooperation between cities, regions, and academia, together with civil society as well as international partners, ensuring shared ownership and effective delivery of sustainable urban development.
Mr.
President, Bulgaria believes international cooperation must must move from principles to delivery.
From commitments to measurable results on the ground, and it should focus on territorial cohesion, practical solutions, and stronger partnerships between governments, local and regional authorities, international organizations, and financial institutions.
Capacity building, peer learning, and innovative financing remain essential, particularly for smaller municipalities and regions with limited administrative capacity, greater emphasis should be placed on translating global frameworks into I thank the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, and I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Chiao Wang Chen, Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban and Rural Development of China.
Your Excellency President.
Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, the new urban agenda carried out shared vision over the past decade has guided cities around the world to make solid gains in sustainable development.
The Chinese government fully committed to the people's city concept put forward by President Xi Jinping has delivered on our commitment to the new urban agenda and made historic progress in urban development.
First, progress in social sustainability.
Through vigorous adoption of a new type of people centered approach to urbanization, China has reached 67.89% in regular urbanization, with the urban population now standing at 954 million.
We have built the world's largest housing security system, having delivered more than 68 million units of government subsidized housing and redeveloped informal housing, benefiting over 170 million families with housing difficulties, second, progress in economic sustainability.
Efforts have been made to foster drivers for urban growth, turning cities into ever greater economic engines, 19 city centers, a new home to about 75% of the country's population, contributing 85% of national GDP, with 29 individual cities surpassing the 1 trillion GDP threshold.
Third, progress in environmental sustainability.
We have pursued a multi pronged approach to green and low carbon transition and have vigorously promoted green production and lifestyles with a green coverage of completed urban air urban areas now exceeding 43% and parking green space over 15 square meters per capita.
Our cities enjoy bluer skies, cleaner water, and a more beautiful environment.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the new urban agenda based on our stock taking of the implementation of the agenda.
We have prepared a national report, which we're happy to share with the countries of the world.
As part of our efforts to share experiences.
Looking ahead, China will continue to put into practice the people's city concept, pursue intensive urban development to build innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, civilized, and smart modern cities for the people.
First, be more people centered.
Meeting people's aspirations for a better life is both the beginning and end of our endeavor.
Focus first and foremost on ensuring that everyone has a decent home.
We will carry out high quality urban renewal and systematically advance the four goods initiative, I building good housing, good residential compounds, good communities, and good urban districts.
Second, pursue more intensive and efficient development.
We will optimize the functional structure and spatial layout of cities, revitalize existing inventory, while ensuring that new additions are of higher quality and that the overall Quality keeps improving.
We will accelerate the green and low carbon transition, advanced development of green buildings, green households, and green communities in an integrated manner.
Third, greater emphasis on distinctive development, building on local resource endowments and leveraging competitive advantages.
We will develop new quality, productive forces in light of local conditions.
We will preserve and carry forward the historical and cultural heritage of our cities, draw inspiration from the fine traditional Chinese culture shape, distinctive urban landscapes, and cultivated city spirit that reflects the deep cultural bots and unique character.
In more in governance.
We will develop new governance concepts, models, and tools, deepen new technology applications, and promote one stop online processing of government services, unified online management of city operations, and one stop online access to public services.
Through these efforts, we will make urban governance more scientific, refined, smart.
Fifth, greater emphasis on integrated coordination, seeing cities as living organisms.
We will strengthen coordination across all sectors, all stages among all actors, develop a safety system for urban infrastructure lifelines, put in place a system of full life cycle housing safety management, and make our urban governance more holistic, systematic, and coordinated.
Distinguished delegates, the implementation of the New Urban Agenda is entering the second half of the journey.
At this new starting point, China is ready to continue to work with all parties to deepen cooperation through platforms such as World City Day and the Global Award for Sustainable Development in cities, and to jointly respond to the four global initiatives proposed by President Xin King, we will push forward for further tangible progress in implementing the new urban agenda and create better urban homes where hundreds of millions of people can enjoy a happy life.
Thank you all.
I thank the Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban and Rural Development of China.
And I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Fabrian Ruidia, Deputy Minister of Planning and National Development, and the Deputy Minister of the International Agency for Planning and Development of Indonesia.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Indonesia welcomes this high level meeting on the adoption of the political declaration, which renew our collective commitment to enhance the implementation of the new urban agenda.
Ten years after Quito, our challenge is no longer to define sustainable urban development.
Our challenge is to deliver it because the future of sustainable development will not ultimately be decided in these conference rooms.
It will be decided in our cities.
Cities are where inequality is either reduced or deepened, where resilience is either strengthened or weakened and where the aspiration of the 2030 agenda become either tangible progress or unfulfilled promises.
Today, nearly 60% of the world's population lives in urban areas.
As urbanization accelerates, the future of humanity will increasingly be shaped by the future of our cities.
Advancing the new urban agenda is therefore not only about achieving SDG 11, it is about accelerating the entire 2030 agenda while laying a stronger foundation for the global development agenda beyond 2030.
We look ahead, cities will become more than center of economic activity.
They will become the places where trust in public institution is built, social cohesion is strengthened, innovation flourishes and resilience to future crisis is created.
Indonesia has remained firmly committed to the new urban agenda since its adoption.
Its principles are embedded in Indonesia New Urban Agenda 2045 and integrated into our national long term and medium term development plan.
Our effort to upgrade informal statement Informal settlement, expand affordable housing, and strengthen urban infrastructure have contributed to reducing slum area, as acknowledged in the Sky Journal report.
Under the leadership of Resident Subianto, Indonesia is guided by one simple conviction, a house is more than a structure.
It is the foundation of human dignity.
Housing policy is therefore not merely about constructing buildings.
It is about creating communities where people have access to education, healthcare, decent work, clean water, sanitation, transportation, and a safe environment.
Only then can people truly thrive.
Indonesia experience has taught us another important lesson.
Sustainable urban transformation cannot be delivered by infrastructure alone.
It requires capable institution, empower communities, innovation, and partnership working together.
Allow me to briefly share for practical experiences.
First, we are expanding inclusive digital transformation through the 100 Smart Cities Initiative to improve public services while ensuring that no community is left behind.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
Second, we continue to strengthen people centered urban development through ampong improvement, self help housing assistance, and subsidized mortgages because resilient cities begin with resilient community.
Third, we're investing in nature based solution, mangrove restoration, coastal protection, and circular waste management, making resilience both sustainable and affordable.
Fourth, we are strengthening integrated planning and innovative financing through the 3 million houses program.
Ultimately, the success of new urban agenda will not be measured by the number of strategies we adopt.
It will be measured by the quality of life we improve, by whether family lives in a safer neighborhood, by whether cities become more inclusive, more resilient, and more humane.
And we shall stand ready to work with all partners because no nation can build a sustainable city alone.
Our future share, our responsibilities share, and the choices we make today will shape not only the cities of tomorrow, but also the dignity, opportunity, and resilience of generations yet to come.
And I thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I thank the Deputy Minister of Planning, National Development and the Deputy Minister of the National Agency of Planning Development of Idsia I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Madam Rita Sowa, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Religious Affairs of Ghana.
Thank you very much, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
Ghana welcomes this high level meeting as an important milestone in accelerating implementation of the New Urban Agenda towards 2036.
We commend the United Nations for convening this platform to review progress, identify gaps, and renew global commitment at this midpoint.
Over the past decade, Ghana has made steady progress through strong national leadership, decentralized governance, and evidence based planning led by the National Development Planning Commission and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftcy and religious Affairs.
Multidimensional poverty declined from 24.9% in 2024 to 21.9% in 2025.
Access to basic services remains high with 96.9% access to water, 94.8% to electricity, and 63.4% to sanitation.
These gains have been supported by social protection programs, including LIP the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the school feeding Program, as well as key reforms such as the Land Act and the Affirmative Action Act.
We have also strengthened urban governance, economic productivity, and institutional performance through digital systems, skills development, and private sector participation.
However, progress has not kept pace with rapid Urbanization.
Housing remains our most pressing challenge.
Ghana faces a housing deficit of more than 1.8 million units, while up to 37% of urban population lives in informal settlements.
Ghana is focused on four priority actions to accelerate delivery of the new urban agenda.
First, scaling affordable and inclusive housing through implementation of the 2024 Housing Profile recommendations and the National SLM upgrading and prevention strategy.
Second, strengthening integrated urban development and special planning through the National Urban Policy 2026 to 2035.
Third, expanding urban infrastructure and local economic development through initiatives such as the Garner Secondary Cities Program, Garrett Project, the Smart SDGs Program, and the Sustainable Cities Program.
Fourth, advancing climate resilience and economically sustainable cities while strengthening urban governance, institutional capacity, coordination, and data systems, including the operationalization of a Ghana Urban Observatory.
Looking ahead, Ghana reaffirms its commitment to accelerating implementation.
We will scale up affordable housing and slum upgrading, strengthen local government fiscal capacity, expand sustainable urban financing, integrate climate resilience into planning and infrastructure, and enhance data systems and digital governance.
These efforts will be pursued in partnership with our development partners, the private sector and local communities.
Ghana underscores the importance of stronger international cooperation.
We call for increased and predictable financing for housing and urban development, direct access to climate finance for cities and expanded technical and multilateral collaboration.
In conclusion, Ghana remains firmly committed to ensuring that our cities provide adequate housing, basic services, resilience, and opportunity for all, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.
Thank you.
I thank the Deputy Minister of Local Government Chiefty and Religious Affairs of Ghana.
And I now give the floor to Her Excellency miss Suma Oaymed Gami, Secretary-General of the Urban Council and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport of Sudan.
Mr.
President, Excellency delegates, at the outset, Sudan aligned itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the g77 and China and would like to add the following remarks on its national capacity.
Excellencies, Sudan welcome this high level meeting on New Urban Agenda and commends UN habitat for its leadership in advancing sustainable urban development world twice also welcomes the adoption of this vital political declaration.
Sudan cities are comforting an urban crisis of exceptional scale, driven by the ongoing aggression and systematic attack of the militia.
Homes, hospitals, schools, water, and electricity networks have been destroyed across the country, displacing around 30 million people amongst the largest displacement crisis in the world and revising years of progress towards the new urban agenda and the sustainable development goals.
Despite this, Sudar remains firmly committed to the agenda This is agendas principles.
We have adopted a ten years recovery and reconstruction strategy 2026 to 2056 developed with national experts and international partners focused on restoring basic urban services, rebuilding housing, and reviving local economy.
In January 2026, the government resumed its official function once again from the Capital Khartoum, anchoring reconstruction efforts at the heart of the country and On the ground, resettlement projects are already combining permanent housing with livelihood supports, helping retaining families move from a dependence to self reliance.
The government established the urban cities profiling projects to assist the condition of cities before and after the wave of displacement.
The initiative have already generated findings in several of most affected urban areas and continues to Japan.
It discovered providing clear understanding of how was impact essential services.
Excellencies, yet the need remains vast.
Sudan estimates that some 5 million housing units are required.
And 15.5 million people need urgent shelter assistance, meeting these challenges, demands resolving, land tenure uncertainty, and expanding civil deploymentation, and above all, mobilizing sustainable national and international financing.
Sudan has approved an emergency 2026 bucket for reconstruction, but national resources alone are not enough.
Therefore, we call on dependent development partners, international financing institutions, and new in habitat to scale up support for housing, infrastructure, and municipal capacity in conflicted countries.
Rebuilding our cities is not merely an infrastructure challenge.
It is an investment in human dignity, social cohesion, and lasting peace.
Also, building our data system and local infrastructure capacities is fundamental.
Excellency, to conclude, Sudan remains ready to work closely with you in habitat, develop partners to develop more prosperous and peaceful future, our cities and our people, leaving no one behind, especially countries under conflict.
Thank you.
I thank the Secretary-General for the Urban Council, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport of Sudan.
I now give the floor to Excellency Madame Teppo Amin, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction of Cambodia.
Excellency, ladies and gentlemen.
Cambodia stand firmly behind the three transformative commitment at the heart of the new urban agenda first.
On social inclusion and ending poverty, we are determined to leave no one behind.
We are helping family move out of informal settlement and building not merely housing but home place of health, learning and dignity NDC 3.04 thousand Climate Resilient House will be built for low income family and for the first time, social and child protection recognized as frontline measure of climate adaptation.
Second, on inclusive urban prosperity, we are diversifying our economy and equipping a new generation with skill so that the wealth our city generate is share widely.
We are investing in Transit oriented planning, cleaner, public transport and electric mobility in digital infrastructure and in the small enterprise that are the lifeblood of every Cambodian town.
That prosperity reach the street vendor as surely as the boardroom.
So On environmentally sustainable and resiliencity, our ambition is plans.
Our new nationally determined contribution permit BDA to cut emissions by 16% by 2035, on our own and by 55% with international support.
We will raise renewable energy to as much as 70% of our electricity and have the liorization rate by 2030.
We were the first national nation in Asia and the second least developed country in the world to chart a path to carbon neutrality by 2050.
In our city, green building certification, greenspace toolkit, and climate risk planning intensity will turn these pledges into brick, shade and safe ground.
Excellencies ladies and gentlemen.
The UN Habitat project in Cambodia is quite successful and would like to ask that we extend further to all over the country to answer the need of the country.
And the current displaced person, about half 1 million people as a result of the current invasion and occupation.
I would like also to invite everyone to visit the project to learn from the uniqueness and its effectiveness and while you are visiting the project, drop by Ankle W, one of the S World wonder.
I will be waiting for you to solve you and I thank you all.
I thank the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction of Cambodia.
I now give the floor to Zambia.
Something wrong.
Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, ten years after the adoption of the new urban agenda, Zambia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustainable urbanization as a catalyst for inclusive growth, resilience, and improved quality of life.
We commend you habitat and all partners for steering this important midterm review, which provides an opportunity not only to reflect on our progress, but also to renew our collective ambition for the decade ahead.
Since the adoption of the new Urban agenda, Zambia has made significant strides in integrating its principles international development planning.
The eighth National Development Plan mainstreamed the sustainable development goals, including SDG 11, while promoting territorial development, climate resilience, and inclusive urban growth.
At the local level, district integrated development plans provide a coordinated framework for investment, service delivery, and sustainable land use.
We are promoting rural growth centers and development corridors for balanced territorial development, economic diversification, improved connectivity, and equitable access to services.
We've strengthened decentralization through increased fiscal transfers and devolved functions to local authorities while expanding the number of local planning authorities to improve orderly urban development.
Zambia is also advancing implementation of the National Urbanization policy, promoting affordable housing through revised National housing policy, undertaking participatory SLAM upgrading in partnership with you in habitat and improving security of Lantana through systematic line tightening, particularly for women, youth, and vulnerable communities.
Chairperson, while these achievements are encouraging, significant challenges remain.
Rapid urbanization continues to outpace infrastructure, housing, and service delivery.
Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of our cities while financing constraints, institutional capacity gaps, and limited urban data continue to slow implementation.
As we look toward 2036, Zambia is committed to accelerating implementation of the new urban agenda through strengthened integrated special planning, climate resilient urban development, affordable housing, improved municipal finance, enhanced local government capacity, and application of digital technologies for evidence based planning and service delivery.
We are also strengthening localization of the sustainable development goals through voluntary local reviews, recognizing that sustainable urban development is ultimately delivered at the local level through effective, multi level governance and active citizen participation.
Chairperson, achieving the ambitions of the new urban agenda requires stronger partnerships, partnerships that we can trust.
We must therefore ensure predictable financing For sustainable urban development, strengthen technology transfer and capacity building, invest in urban data and innovation, and reinforce partnerships that empower local authorities and regional governments to deliver inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.
Chairperson, the midterm review reminds us that sustainable urban is central to achieving the sustainable development goals.
Zambia therefore reaffirms its commitment to working with all member states and partners to accelerate implementation of the new urban agenda, ensuring that 2036, our cities and human settlements are inclusive, resilient, prosperous, and leave no one and no place behind.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.
I thank the distinguished representative of Zambia.
I now give the floor to Italy.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, Italy aligns itself with the statement by the European Union on behalf of its member states.
The midterm review of the New Urban Agenda provides an important opportunity to renew our collective commitment and to reflect on the essential role that cities and territories play in advancing our global objectives.
Drawing on Italy's experience, we wish to highlight four key priorities to strengthen the implementation of the new urban agenda over the coming decade.
First, achieving sustainable urban development requires effective multi level governance, greater policy coherence for sustainable development, and stronger integration across sectors and levels of government.
It is essential to ensure the full participation of local authorities in decision making, implementation, and monitoring processes.
Italy's Voluntary National Review presented this year at the high level political forum provides a concrete example of this approach, incorporating 14 voluntary local reviews.
Second, the localization of sustainable development is a critical factor to accelerate the implementation of the new urban agenda.
In this regard, the partnership platform on SDG localization promoted jointly with UN Habitat and linked to the UN Local 2030 coalition Supports collaboration between national governments and territorial stakeholders, fosters peer learning and advances the development of national frameworks for SDG localization, whose importance is appropriately recognized in the political declaration.
Third, we underscore the importance of ensuring the meaningful participation of young people in decision making processes.
This year, Italy completed its first voluntary youth review, thereby contributing to the implementation of the Pact for the future and the Declaration on future generations.
Finally, we reaffirmed the importance of integrated and participatory urban and territorial planning that promotes nature based solutions and recognizes culture and sport as powerful drivers of sustainable development, social cohesion, and community well being.
In this regard, Italy is committed to promoting sporting events and sports facilities as spaces for community engagement, social inclusion, and the active participation of younger generations in advancing the sustainability of their territories.
Ten years after the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, Italy renews its commitment to working closely with partner countries, cities, territories, international organizations, and all relevant stakeholders to advance its full implementation, guided by the principle that no person and no place should be left behind.
Thank you.
Hi.
Thank you, the Distinguished representative of Italy, and I now give the floor to Pakistan.
Ajulahiine Shwagimism Raman I Rahim, Excellencies, colleagues, Pakistan welcomes this midterm review an important opportunity to take stock of and renew our commitment to the new urban agenda.
Like many other countries, Pakistan face growing pressures on housing, transport, safety, and the environment as urbanization accelerates.
Allow me to outline the concrete steps Pakistan is taking to respond to these.
First, following frequent urban and river in flooding that claimed over 1,000 lives nationwide in 2025 alone, we are developing our national urban strategy in collaboration with UN habitat to ensure that climate resilience is designed into our cities from the outset.
Second, on housing, our post flood reconstruction program has already rebuilt over 400,000 homes for displaced families.
We remain committed to incorporating these same resilience and planning standards into our broader housing efforts.
Third, on transport, we are expanding affordable, low emission mobility.
Fourth, on social protection, the Benazir Income Support Program now reaches over 9 million families nationwide with a growing share of support directed to low income households in our fastest growing cities.
Fifth, on urban safety, safe city authorities are expanding real time monitoring and integrated command centers across our provinces to better protect citizens.
However, none of these efforts will succeed without creating opportunities for our youth who constitute nearly 67% of our population.
As young people increasingly migrate to cities, ensuring their access to education, employment, and training will be central to ensuring that urbanization becomes a source of prosperity.
It is for this reason that the Prime Minister's youth program, under the able leadership of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mohammed Shia Sharif, together with partners launched for Assam Pakistan aimed at connecting young people to skills, jobs, and entrepreneurship pathways.
Pakistan stands ready to work with all member states to share our experiences in handling urbanization and to ensure that this midterm review delivers concrete outcomes for present and future generations.
I thank you all.
Thank you very much.
I thank Pakistan.
I now give the floor to Thailand.
Mr.
Ch and Madam Chair, Excellency, leading Gish delegation, Thailand ally itself with the statement made Ma Uu Fi on behalf of Group of 77 and China.
Madam Chair, each year after Ebithat, this meeting an opportunity to renew our commitment.
Through such sement over development, the NUA is closely linked to SDG 11 and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Thailand has translated this agenda into action through our 20 year master plan on housing development, strangous local governments community driven development, and the colonization of the SDG.
We recognize the key role of UN abitat is supporting member states in implementing The NGA.
Mr.
And Madame X Thailand believe that adequate housing is the foundation of human development.
Allow me to share Thailand experience translates the NGA into Congress action in three main area.
First, We have improved access to quality and affordable housing for all guided by the principle of DSL design, the four initiative, promote inclusive and accessible housing for all.
Second, We are putting people and community at the heart of urban development.
The Ban N P Collection housing program has benefit more than 100,000 low income household by empowering community to plan upgrade and management their own neighborhoods.
Similarly, the inang Urban Renewal projects promotes inclusive free development with preserving exciting community.
Third, we are strengthening herbal resilience and government.
The Sanity concept and climate resilience through green space and water retention to reduce flash breaks, the Department of Public Works to soc digital platform, provide convenient, transparent and inclusive access to herbon branding services.
X and Madame X, Thailand recognized that her boon challenges continue to evolve, dece the progress, the stronger mean of implementation will be essential to accelerate delivery of the NGA.
Thailand believed that strengthens partnership and international cooperation needs more than ever.
Look ahead Thailand will be continue advancing affordable housing, inclusive community climate resilience and digital innovation to build city for all.
Thailand remain commitment and advancing the NGA by sharing this experience in community s housing and resilience, urban development, the south south cooperation, and working with our partner to build inclusive, resilient and sustainable city Let's leave no one behind.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand.
I now give the floor to Serbia.
Mr.
President, distinguished delegates, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues.
It's my privilege to speak on behalf of the Republic of Serbia and to share our experience in this matter.
From the very beginning, Serbia has been dedicated to implementing the new Urban agenda since its initial phase.
Our national experts contributed with comments that were integrated into the final text of this document.
Serbia was among the few countries in Southeast Europe to prepare a habitat free report on urban development and housing in 2016.
In 2019, our government adopted its first national urban policy, the Sustainable Urban Development Strategy, and two years later action plan for implementation of the National Urban Policy.
All these documents incorporate the principles of new urban agenda.
In preparation for the World Urban Forum, Serbia has successfully organized three national urban forums.
The first one was in our capital Belgrade in 2023.
The second one was in the city of Nis, and the third one has been recently held in the middle sized city of Rana this year.
The themes of these national forums corresponded to the topics of world urban forums.
Serbia is making efforts to reatthen the greener and resilient dimension of urban development, aligning local needs with international trends.
Driven by the EU integration reform agenda, digitalization of spatial and urban planning is among the priority activities.
We are currently establishing the advanced Espace Psor platform and its component EP.
The integration of GO information technologies, artificial intelligence, and e government tools are crucial for this rollout.
I will give you one example.
An important milestone was achieved in 2024 when we developed the first voluntary local review for the city of Nic.
To accelerate the delivery or Urban principle from Agenda 2030, in particular, Sustainable Development Goal 11 and its targets, Serbia is focusing on three main pillars.
First, inclusive policy for all and better quality of life.
Second, better coordination of public policies through more integrated territorial approach and better participation in planning practice.
And third, improved monitoring of territorial development to support evidence based policy.
To achieve all this, our implementation strategy relies on strategic partnerships.
Multilaterally, we collaborate closely with the United Nations and the European Union, where Serbia holds EU candidate status.
Locally, we focus on empowering local governments and upgrading their capacity to manage modern urban trends.
We are going to continue our efforts in order to improve the state of urban development.
Approaching the timeline of the UN Agenda 2030, which is also the time frame for our national urban We this an opportunity to continue to work on urban challenges such as housing issues, green urban development, financing, governments and smart digitalization.
Finally, we are constantly expanding our cooperation with the UN Habitat.
It's our aim to welcome UN habitat as a resident agency within the UN country team in Serbia.
Furthermore, the newly established UN Habitat Regional Office in Istanbul will be important in urban cooperation across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Europe in particular.
Thank you very much to all and I wish you very successful meeting.
I thank Serbia, and I now give the floor to Mexico.
Thank you very much, President, distinguished delegates, colleagues.
Good afternoon.
Mexico recognized that over the last ten years, the international community has made tangible progress, although it has been uneven in some cases, the most visible signs of progress have been in terms of norms and institutions, but we are falling short of the mark when it comes to action on the ground.
Mexico is bringing its own contribution to this progress.
We have consolidated a national system of territorial planning with a national strategy for territorial planning through 2040 with seven official Mexican standards, and we have placed housing and made it a right, especially for households with low income that historically have been financially excluded.
Under the framework of this midterm review, we recognize that there is still an enormous amount still to do in a number of areas, this is urgent.
The most critical barriers that need to be overcome globally are as follows the global housing crisis and affordability, persistent spatial inequality, the gap in financing and capacity, and the climate and risks emergency.
In this context, we propose that the member states focus their efforts towards 2036 on the systemic intensification rather than isolated efforts Based on our experience, Mexico proposes the following priorities for collective deliberation, repositioning adequate housing not as a privilege, but rather as a human right.
It should have sustained public financing and it should be aimed specifically at those who have been excluded from the market and from loans.
We must integrate territorial planning in to a single policy, we must overcome the fragmentation of the environmental, urban and rural aspects so that we can produce housing that is appropriately located with decent services, and we should strengthen multi level governance and localization of the agenda, giving local authorities the capacity, data, and resources that they need, and we should drive networks between sub national governments and coordination networks.
Substantive equality intersectionality must be at the center of urban design and we should understand that Cities have previously been built on structural inequalities.
We must make resilience and climate adaptation a cross cutting axis of planning and this should replace the reactive culture to disasters and we should rather have one of prevention and risk reduction.
Mexico reaffirms its readiness to share methodologies and tools and its good practices with countries in a similar situation based on the principle of solidarity and non conditionality supporting South Southco and triangular cooperation.
For Mexico, international cooperation is crucial for implementation of the new urban agenda.
This is why we're driving multi stakeholder and multi level partnerships across governments, development banks, academia, the social sector and communities using a joint responsibility model that is underpinned by a more just financial architecture in terms of fairness for cities and solidarity in horizontal networks that contribute to closing the structural gaps that exist and consolidating sustainable town planning as a global public good for present and future generations.
Finally, I am pleased to highlight that the city of Mexico was selected as the host for the 13th New Urban forum to be held in 2028, where we will be ratifying our commitment to the new urban agenda as a catalyst for achieving the sustainable development goals of the 2030 agenda and supporting actions aimed at ensuring adequate housing, territorial development, social inclusion, urban mobility, Environmental Sustainability and local governance.
I would invite you to join us and I look forward to seeing you in a couple of years in the city of Mexico.
Thank you very much.
I thank Mexico.
I now give the floor to Madagascar.
President Distinguished President.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor for me to take the floor today on behalf of the government of the Republic of Madagascar at this high level meeting on the midterm review of the new urban agenda.
Madagascar warmly welcomes the holding of this high level meeting to take stock of progress already made.
As well as a tool for catalyzing transformation and promoting prosperity of cities to make them more sustainable resilient and inclusive.
We welcome the conclusions of the 13th Global Urban Forum, which was held in Baku in May, which issued a call that encouraged and guided us with regard to our country's transformation.
The central topic, housing the world safe and resilient cities and communities resonates deeply with challenges and ambitions.
We have our first national report on the new Urban Program for February 2026, as well as resolutions of the National Assembly for and use Planning and Real Estate Services, which have to find a roadmap that is clear and practical to reform this sector and to ensure that decent lodging, decent housing is a reality for every citizen.
We have an estimated deficit of 1.7 million housing units and an annual demand of 130,000 units.
The government has implemented an ambitious program to mass produce affordable housing with the support of the private sector and technical partners.
Secondly, building climate resilient cities that can resist natural disasters.
The second priority, the recent passage of the Vita and Gazani cyclones, which damaged our economy to the tune of 3.4% of GDP is a brutal reminder of this vulnerability.
We have a national adaptation and climate change mitigation strategy for the urban environment with the support of UN habitat.
The National Assembly strengthened this commitment by calling for the revision of technical construction standards as well as promoting local and eco friendly materials and mapping high risk zones to guide future urban planning.
Thirdly, we must consolidate multilevel governance and decentralization.
That's the third priority.
The National Assembly has strongly reaffirmed the need to strengthen the powers of regions, communities, and the fo for effective local governance.
We have a national decentralization plan adopted in 2023, and that is our roadmap for effectively delegating competencies and resources to decentralized governments.
Government has also committed to increasing the proportion of the national budget allocated to these by more than 2% We also have placed youth at the heart of our land use planning policy.
72% of population is under 35 years of age and 300-500 thousand new graduates enter the job market every year.
Therefore, professional insertion of young people is an issue of stability and prosperity.
National Assembly has dedicated an entire theme to youth with strong recommendations, training young people on urban planning, GIS, as well as resilient construction, involving them in urban planning and facilitating their access to land and housing through programs like a green deed.
This is an investment in the future of our country.
One more central point is transparent and modern land management is the foundation of all these reforms.
The National Assembly has called for digitalization of real estate procedures, creating a land information system and has called for strengthening the fight against corruption.
This is the prerequisite for ensuring safe investments as well as equitable access to housing and land for all.
In closing, President Madagascar is currently building through its reform process, a productive urbanization of well planned cities that can face the next decade and that is in line with its internal public policy.
We're determined to play an important role through engaging in reform, investment, and mobilization of all actors, showing our resolve to transform challenges into prosperity.
Thank you.
Madagascar.
I thank Madagascar and now give the floor to Kazakhstan.
A chairs, distinguished delegates, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I would like to thank the United Nations, you inhabited, and all member states for bringing us together today to share our experience and build stronger cooperation.
Welcome the adoption of the political declaration of the New Urban Agenda.
It shows that sustainable urban development remains a shared priority and that we need to work together to build better cities.
Today, this commitment is more important than ever.
Cities are facing rapid urbanization, climate change, and growing pressure on infrastructure, guided by sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 11 on sustainable cities and Kings.
Kazakhstan is advancing climate action, improving water security, and investing in resilient infrastructure and green urban development.
As a result of these efforts, Kazakhstan is ranked 16th out of 190 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index, reflecting the country steady progress in improving the quality of life and sustainable development.
As part of this effort, Astana became the first Asoom hub in Central Asia under making City Zoom 2030 initiative.
Creating a regional platform for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and exchange of best practice.
This achievement reflect more than five years of DDK works.
During this time, we adopted international approaches, complete a city resilient assessment, and introduced a new approach to urban planning, base it on the principles of the new urban agenda.
Today, these principles are reflected in integrated planning, the annual planning of more than 1 million green plantings, the creation of a city rezoned assessment, and introduced a new approach to urban planning based on principle of new urban agenda.
Okay.
We believe Kazakhstan experience can contribute to the global diverge on sustainable urban development.
We highly value our cooperation with YN Habitat, YNDPE, Yon and sincere thanks to the organization for its continuing support in promoting knowledge exchange, innovation, and international partnership.
Together with our international partners and academic institutions, we remain committed to working together to build more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.
Thank you for your attention.
I think Kazakhstan and now give the floor to Ethiopia.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates.
At the outset, we would like to thank the President of General Assembly for organizing this important high level meeting.
Ethiopia also extends a since our appreciation to the United Nations and UN Habitat for their continued leadership in advancing sustainable urban development.
Mr.
President, the New Urban Agenda provides a transformative framework for promoting inclusive, resilient, safe, and sustainable cities for Ethiopia where urbanization is progressing rapidly at 5.4% annually.
Sustainable urban development remains central to our national transformation agenda.
Just a month ago, Ethiopia adopt a new urban development policy aligned with the new urban agenda, sustainable development goals, and Agenda 2063.
Accordingly, Ethiopia has also fully integrated the new urban agenda into its ten years prosperity plan, ensuring that urban development prosperity are mainstreamed in its national planning, and implementation rather than being pursued standalone initiatives.
We have strengthened urban land governance nationwide by increasing or coverage, significantly improving tenure security and land administration.
In our urban area, the government social protection effort is expanding.
Our Urban productive safety nets program now operating in 87 urban centers, benefiting over 1.2 million vulnerable citizens, particularly women and youth.
Our effort to improve housing condition has also delivered measurable results.
The proportion of urban residents living in Islam condition has declined from 74% to 52%, supported by affordable housing program aimed to build 1.5 million by 2030.
Access to basic urban services continue to improve.
Urban access to safe drinking water has increased from 52% to 84% while access to electricity has reached 63%, supported by an energy support system in which almost 98% electricity generated comes from renewable resource.
Mr.
President, one of the most transformative initiative is the nationwide Corridor Development Program.
What begins in Adis Ababa has now expanded to more than 75 cities and towns of Ethiopia, transforming urban landscapes through integrating human oriented infrastructure, including pedestrian sidewalk, bike lanes, green space, river and lakeside development, and public infrastructure.
Through own source revenue, the program has already delivered over 628,000,628 kilometers of ped sidewalk, nearly 300 kilometers of dedicated bike lanes and more than 115 kilometer river and lakeside development.
Create safe, greenery and more inclusive urban environment while stimulating local economic development.
While we are encouraged by this progress, formidable challenges remain.
Rapid urbanization, affordable housing needs, climate change, infrastructure, finance, urban data systems continue to request strong national efforts and enhanced inital cooperation.
In conclusion, we remain fully committed to build inclusive, productive, and climate resilient cities and to work closely with development partners to realize our shared vision of sustainable urban development.
I thank you, Ana.
I thank Ethiopia, and I now give the floor to Burkina Faso.
President, Massieu President, ladies and gentlemen, I would first like to convey to you the fraternal greetings of the people of Bukinafaso.
Buka Faso has been facing a security and humanitarian crisis that has affected parts of its country since 2016.
That was the year that the New Urban Agenda was adopted, and these crises have undermined our efforts to make our cities and our countryside drivers of development under the leadership of Comrade Mikailu' Cb, Minister of Homeland Construction in Burkina Faso My country, together with the support of UN habitat and our technical and financial partners, has begun to implement structural projects aimed at tackling the urban challenges identified in the new urban agenda.
Amongst these initiatives, I would like to recall the following the project strengthening the resilience of local authorities against the mass displacement of populations in the COVID 19 pandemic at a total cost of $4.6 million.
This has allowed us to increase the resilience of local authorities and vulnerable communities thanks to an integrated approach.
We have the social and economic inclusion of internally displaced persons and urban host communities.
The IPDCA project has helped reduce the vulnerability of a significant proportion of displaced persons and households that receive them in two municipalities that have been significantly impacted by this by placing women and girls at the heart of its priorities.
This project has improved access to housing, strengthened food security and strengthened the capacity of local stakeholders.
Ladies and gentlemen, in addition to these actions, Burkina Faso has launched several programs aimed at strengthening spatial and social inclusion as part of implementation of SDG 11.
These are the establishment of sustainable solutions to forced displacement of second tier cities through integrated territorial approach, total value 17.5 million, the construction of urban infrastructure for resilience in three second tier cities, estimated value of some 7 million contributing to the stabilization of these cities and the improvement of local governance and the resilience of their populations.
The strengthening of the resilience of three other second tier cities located on the Abnwgu corridor through market infrastructure, urban mobility, and socioeconomic integration actions coming at a total cost of 11.7 million in the definition of an urban development program to the tune of $585,000 aimed at strengthening urbanism sustainability and the strategic role of cities in our national development.
And the implementation of our ambitious five year program, Burkina Faso den C 2024 through 2029.
This project aims to build 50,000 social and low cost housing units in 61 localities at a total cost of 3.97 billion over the period of 2026 through 2029.
This program mobilizes an unprecedented partnership involving the state, real estate developers, banks, Social Security institutions and technical and financial partners and their contributions are estimated at some $44.4 million.
Ladies and gentlemen, these examples demonstrate Burkina Faso's desire to better regulate urbanization and to improve the living environment for its population.
But the scale of the need exacerbated by population growth, the security crisis, and financial constraints calls for a change of scale to make it more coherent, inclusive and sustainable when it comes to public action.
To this end, our priority is to step up implementation of SDG 11 are clear and they will seek to control urbanization and securing land, ensure inclusive access to decent housing and basic urban services, build resilience to crises and environmental risks, consolidate effective territorial governance that is supported by lasting financing and accelerate the updating and upgrading of local government plans and regional sustainable development plans.
The implementation of these actions requires considerable financial resources and innovative strategies.
In this regard, Burkino is committed to an indigenous housing financing mechanism based on dedicated budget lines and the mobilization of national financial institutions.
This aims to reduce the total cost of ownership for housing and to secure predictable repayment flows in accordance with the principles of the new Urban agenda.
In conclusion, Bukina Faso remains committed to the promise made at the time of the adoption of the 2030 agenda for for sustainable development to leave no one behind, to leave no African behind to leave no Burkinaso person behind.
And we also in line with the vision of the president of Burkina Faso Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who strongly reminds us that housing for all is not a luxury, but rather a necessity.
Together, we shall be victorious.
I thank you.
Burkina I thank Burkina I now give the floor to Brazil.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, Brazil fully aligns itself with the statements made by Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 and China, both after the vote of our midterm Review Declaration and during this debate.
25 years after the adoption of Brazil City statute and ten years after Qito, we have no shortage of diagnosis.
What is missing is implementation.
The global urban crisis does not stem from insufficient technical knowledge, it stems from a lack of political will, persistent inequalities, and our collective difficulty in turning commitments into concrete investments.
While we discussed goals, millions of people continue to live without adequate housing, sanitation or decent transportation.
Remain increasingly exposed to the impacts of the climate emergency.
We cannot naturalize this reality.
Cities have become the stage on which the great contradiction of sustainable development unfolds, wealth and poverty, innovation and exclusion, prosperity, and abandonment.
The new urban agenda remains our main political framework, but documents do not build cities, reduce housing deficits, or protect families from flooding and informality.
In Brazil, 87% of the population lives in urban areas.
About 16.4 million people still live in slums and informal settlements.
We still face a deficit of approximately 6 million homes.
These figures reveal who pays the price for uniq and urbanization.
Families without full access to housing, sanitation, mobility, and protection from climate risks.
The urban challenge is therefore a challenge of social justice.
For this reason, Brazil treats housing as a human right as a development policy.
Our housing policy financed nearly 10 million homes 2009-2026 with a strong social focus.
70% of beneficiaries are low income families and ownership prioritizes women.
We also created the Casa Brazil Reform Program because housing policy also means improving existing homes, recovering communities, preserving social bonds, and ensuring dignity where people already live.
Confronting worsening extreme climate events, Brazil has developed mechanisms that accelerate access to ready to occupy houses for impacted families because the climate emergency is not paced by the rhythm of bureaucracy.
Throughout the Piphea Viva program, we promote the integrated urbanization of slums and communities, including infrastructure, land regularization, public facilities, and essential services.
We also expanded investments in sanitation, sustainable mobility, and resilient infrastructure.
Ministry of Cities coordinates national urban policies with states and municipalities, the basis for the climate federalism referred to in the most recent Brazilian NDC and in line with our commitment to the CAMP Coalition.
The Brazilian Council of Cities and the National Conference of Cities ensure social participation.
Urban democracy is essential for public policies to reflect the realities of those who experience cities every day.
Excellencies.
The implementation of the New Urban Agenda also depends on fair international architecture.
Developing countries cannot continue to be called upon to deliver global results without access to means of implementation commensurate with the scale of the challenge they face.
We need to expand financing for sustainable urban development, strengthen technical cooperation, enhance local government capacities, and ensure that multilateral system acts as an instrument of development, not only as a space for consensus building.
If we want resilient cities, we must first build resilient multilateralism.
UN habitat has a central role to play in this regard and deserves a strong, predictable, and sustained support.
This midterm review must mark a new stage, accelerate the implementation of the new urban agenda while laying the foundations for the international urban agenda that will succeed 2036 and contribute to the post 2030 development agenda.
Brazil will continue to do its part, but it will continue to affirm that there can be no sustainable cities in a world that naturalizes inequalities, underfunds development, and turns implementation into deferred promises.
The time has come to match declarations with investments, commitments with implementation, and speeches with results.
Thank you very much.
Marcelo.
I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil.
I will now give the floor to Kenya.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Kenya aligns with the statement delivered by the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 in China and wishes to make the following remarks in our national capacity.
The midterm review provides a crucial opportunity to assess our progress, renew our political commitments, and accelerate concrete localized actions to guide global development over the coming decade.
The Secretary-General quadrennial report warns that while the new urban agenda is essential for achieving sustainable development, its implementation is lagging.
Despite generating over 80% of global GDP, cities face overlapping housing, infrastructure, and climate crisis that local authorities cannot effectively address due to funding shortages and fragmented governance.
Kenya's urban strategy localizes global principles to prioritize affordable housing, inclusion, and climate resilience.
Key achievements include the formulation of Kenya's popular version of the New Urban Agenda, which translates global principles into local opportunities, prioritizing adequate housing, social inclusion, and environmental resilience.
Additionally, we have the Affordable Housing Program backed by the Affordable Housing Act of 2024, whose aim is to build 200,000 units annually with over 190,000 currently under construction.
Kenya is also actively strengthening urban resilience and housing through multiple initiatives, which include co leading the global building climate resilience with the Urban Poor Program, expanding affordable mortgage financing via the Kenya Mortgage Financing Company, and championing UN Habitat Resolution 27 on adequate housing for all.
Kenya is advancing sustainable evolved urban development in partnership with UN Habitat, following a joint 2025 UN call to action for affordable housing, Kenya hosted the 2026 Second African Urban Forum, adapting the African Urban Forum two Nairobi Declaration to scale this inclusive housing and climate resilience initiatives across the continent.
Furthermore, we are building climate resilient municipalities nationwide and transforming the Nairobi River into a green, vibrant public space.
Key initiatives include $3,008,785 million river regeneration project, urban mobility expansion, and the $5.2 million UNP backed Nairobi Green Neighborhood project.
Despite progress in some areas, implementing the new urban agenda faces hurdles like lower awareness, funding limits, capacity gaps, poor data, and fragmented governance.
Overcoming these global challenges requires collective action across all sectors.
2026-2036, success depends on empowering local authorities, expanding municipal financing, leveraging digital technology, and prioritizing housing rights, climate action, and inclusive planning.
UN habitat continues to face systemic, financial and localized bottlenecks in implementing the new Urban agenda.
In this regard, we call upon the international community and member states to make deliberate efforts in prioritizing and upscaling urban planning and development within national planning processes, supported by long term, predictable and sufficient funding.
Commit to bridging massive urban housing deficits via improved community co production and housing finance, ensure commitments formalized during the World Urban Forum, translate global urban development goals into local people centered solutions, and strengthen and support habitat through sufficient, reliable, predictable funding, and adequate staffing levels.
To reach our 2036 sustainable urban goals, we must abandon outdated approaches, facing escalating slums, climate risks, and infrastructure gaps.
We urgently need renewed political commitment.
By prioritizing affordable housing, climate adaptation, and inclusive services, we can turn our bold To commitments into lived reality to ensure no one is left behind.
I thank you.
Gs.
I thank the Distinguished Representative of Kenya.
I now give the floor to the United Arab Emirates.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues from the UN Habitat.
It's an honor to speak on behalf of the United Arab Emates at this high level meeting on the midterm review of the new urban agenda.
The midterm review is not only an opportunity to assess our collective progress, but also to recalibrate our ambition and accelerate implementation towards 2036.
Decade after Habitat three, our cities remain at the front line of the world's most pressing challenges, climate change, rapid urbanization, displacement, and the growing demand of the adequate housing are basic services.
How we build and manage our cities over the next decade toward 2036 will shape whether we deliver on the promise of sustainable development for all.
The UE has approached urban development as a national priority, guided by the belief that resilient, well planned cities are the foundation of sustainable growth.
We have invested in integrated urban planning, sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, and smart city solutions that improve quality of life while reducing environmental impact.
Today, DUO has achieved one of the world's highest home ownership rates with more than 91% of Imati families owning their own homes, reflecting our longstanding commitment to adequate housing and sustainable communities.
These efforts reflect our border commitment to sustainable development goal 11, building cities and communities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
UAE reaffirms its support of an action oriented political declaration that renews global commitment to the new urban agenda and translates its principles into measurable on the ground progress.
In its capacity as a member of the executive board of the UN Habitat, the United Arab Emates has actively supported strengthening the program's governance, enhancing institutional effectiveness, and advancing implementation focused urban agenda.
As we look towards the next decade, implementation must become our collective priority.
This requires stronger partnership, innovative financing, technology transfer, enhanced institutional capacity, and data driven decision making to ensure that no city and no community is left behind.
The OE looks forward to working closely with the UN habitat, member states, and partners to accelerate implementation of the new urban agenda through knowledge sharing, innovation, financing, and partnership that put people and the planet at the center of urban development.
As the incoming president of the UN Habitat Assembly in 2027 and as the first Arab country to assume this responsibility, the United Arab Emirates is committed to delivering an implementation focused presidency that translates global commitments into measurable actions.
Will strengthen multilateral cooperation, champion adequate housing for all, promote innovation and digital transformation, mobilize sustainable urban finance, foster south south and triangular cooperation, and support member states in accelerating in implementation of the new urban agenda.
We see the presidency not merely as an owner, but as a responsibility to build consensus, strengthen partnership, and reinforce UN habitats role as a leading global platform for sustainable urbanization.
Thank you.
I I thank the UAE, the United Arab Emirates and I now give the floor to the European Union speaking on behalf of the European Union and its member states.
Monsieur President, Excellent.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its member states.
The candidate countries, Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Armenia, San Marino, and the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.
We fully support an action oriented implementation of the new Urban agenda, firmly anchored in the 2030 agenda, the Paris Agreement, the Pact for the future, and the severe commitment.
In this perspective, we are pleased to have supported the adoption of the Political Declaration on its midterm review today, and we warmly thank the co facilitators, the permanent representatives of Poland and Malawi for their skill, patience, and even handed leadership in bringing this process to consensus.
The EU has four priorities in the implementation.
First, housing.
With the world facing an unprecedented global housing crisis, we must continue to recognize homelessness as an affront that demands urgent action.
We are pleased that the Declaration preserves the practical commitments the EU has championed, in particular, the need for adequate, affordable, energy efficient and quality housing for all.
We equally welcome the recognition of the open ended intergovernmental working group on adequate housing for all and look forward to its recommendations.
Second, localization and multi level governance.
The EU emphasizes the role of towns, cities, and local and regional governments as partners, co creators, and implementers and calls for inclusive multilevel governance systems that empower them in decision making, implementation, and reporting.
We welcome that financial resources should reach the local level, encouraging broad stakeholder cooperation on different territorial levels, including direct access to finance for cities and local authorities and domestic resource mobilization in line with the severe commitment.
In this regard, strengthening administrative capacity, improving access to advisory support, and fostering more strategic and simplified investment frameworks will be essential to enable delivery on sustainable urban development on the ground.
Third, a gender responsive and disability inclusive approach.
The EU is a champion of gender equality, and we are pleased that the declaration retains age and gender responsive and disability inclusive planning and budgeting, a firm commitment to gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls, and attention to gender based violence, including femicide and the design of safe public spaces.
This is essential to leaving no one behind in our cities.
Fourth, and finally, climate and environmental resilience.
The EU strongly supports coherence between the New Urban Agenda and the Paris Agreement, the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the UN Convention to combat desertification, reflecting the interconnected climate, biodiversity, water retention, and land degradation challenges facing urban areas.
Welcome commitments to integrate climate action and biodiversity into urban planning, implement integrated water resources management, and the need to address water scarcity, including through water resilient urban design, develop sustainable, renewable, and affordable energy to promote energy conservation and efficiency, strengthen disaster risk reduction and early warning systems, and highlight circular economy.
We also value the Declaration's recognition of data, technology and innovation as enablers of evidence based urban development, grounded and responsible data governance and human rights.
And its continued support for UN habitat as the focal point for sustainable urban development within the UN system.
Colleagues, through Global Gateway, the EU is helping turn these commitments into investment on the ground, mobilizing financing for sustainable urban energy, mobility, water, and digital infrastructure in partner countries that this declaration rightly places at the heart of implementation.
The U and its member states stand ready to turn these commitments into results in partnership with all levels of government and all stakeholders for a declaration worthy of the cities and communities it serves.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union.
I will now give the floor to Palau speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States Eosis.
Mr.
President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Alliance of small Island states.
Ten years after the adoption of the new Urban agenda, we have an important opportunity to reflect not only on how far we have come, but on whether our cities and settlements are becoming more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable in a rapidly changing world.
For small island developing states, our cities and towns tell our story.
They are where opportunity is created, culture is preserved, and communities come together.
They are home to our people, our ports, our hospitals, our schools, our businesses, and our governments.
They are the beating heart of our societies, but they are also on the front lines of climate change.
Sea level rise, coastal erosion, hurricanes or cyclones, and other climate related related disasters increasingly threaten the homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure upon which our communities depend.
At the same time, constrained land availability, limited fiscal space, growing debt burdens and capacity constraints continue to challenge our ability to invest in resilient urban development.
It is for this reason that the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Abs recognizes that resilient, inclusive, and well planned human settlements are fundamental to achieving sustainable development in CTs.
Delivering on this vision requires integrated approaches that strengthen infrastructure, safeguard ecosystems, improve housing, enhance disaster preparedness and ensure that no one is left behind.
The new urban agenda and Abs are mutually reinforcing and together provide a vision for ensuring that urban development strengthens resilience rather than deepens vulnerability.
However, Mr.
President, the greatest obstacle to delivering on this vision is not a lack of ambition.
It is a lack of fiscal space.
Too many states are forced to borrow to recover only to emerge from each disaster with higher debt, shrinking fiscal space, and fewer resources to invest in resilience.
We are trapped in a cycle where yesterday's disasters consume the resources needed to prepare for tomorrow.
There is a profound injustice in asking those on the front lines of climate change to finance resilient with the smallest fiscal margins.
The midterm review must therefore reaffirm a simple principle.
Resilience requires affordable finance.
Breaking the cycle requires reform of the international financial architecture so that vulnerability, not income alone, guides access to affordable and concessional finance.
Further investments in resilient urban infrastructures should not be viewed as cost, but as investments in global resilience and sustainable development.
The commitments reflected in the Sofa commitment, including efforts to strengthen the sustainability, improve access to finance, and operationalize SID specific initiatives provide important opportunities to support countries in investing in resilience rather than financing recovery afterwards.
Innovation must also be at the center of implementation.
SITS requires solutions that mobilizes investment in data, digital technologies, and locally driven innovation that strengthen urban planning, improve risk assessments, and protect ecosystems.
Mr.
President, therefore, as we implement the new Urban agenda, the 2030 agenda, and the Antigu and Barbuda Agenda for CTS, we must recognize that these are not parallel commitments.
They are chapters of the same story, a story in which resilience is measured not by how often we rebuild, but by whether we finally build a future where rebuilding is no longer the norm.
Let us ensure that the international community provides CTS with the financing, partnerships, technology, and policy support needed, not simply to rebuild after each crisis, but to build cities and communities capable of thriving despite them.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Palau.
I now give the floor to the Dominican Republic.
See you then.
Thank you, President.
The Dominican Republic aligns with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G 77 and China and by Palau on behalf of EosS.
The Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the new urban agenda as a fundamental framework to promote cities and territories that are inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and human centered.
Since its adoption in 2016, at the Third United Nations Conference on human Settlement and development, we have made significant institutional progress and also in terms of norms in order to apply territorial planning as a public policy aimed at reducing inequalities and protect natural resources and to strengthen resilience to climate change.
The midterm review represents an opportunity for assessing the progress considering challenges that remain in reaffirming our commitment to the 2030 agenda, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and the new Urban Agenda President.
The Dominican Republic has lived through a process of urbanization that has been quite rapid in recent years.
A significant proportion of the population lives in urban areas.
While this growth has driven economic development, it has exerted a significant amount of pressure on land, mobility, and public services.
Faced with this challenge, town planning has become a strategic access for the promotion of more orderly, sustainable and resilient economic growth.
The main stride forward in the country has been through the passing of a law on land use planning, human settlement.
This framework for the first time establishes a modern program for land planning that strengthens coordination between local government and central government promoting environmental balance and climate resilience and a new approach to the territory.
Since 2020, the country has been implementing our national plan of action for implementing the new Urban agenda and accompanying consultation processes and international cooperation to incorporate climate resilience in our nationally determined contributions.
Also, the national system for town planning has seen major progress through the formulation and approval of national plans and the passing of new instruments for strategic territories with the support of the world Blank.
We are also developing a further national program with more than 50 new municipal plans, high precision mapping and also creating the first metropolitan plans.
Our experience has shown that implementation of the new urban agenda requires not only legal reform but political leadership.
It requires also us to strengthen our institutions adequate financing and close coordination between territorial planning, risk management, and regional development.
Amongst the main challenges, we find that strengthening local governments, consolidating the territory information and metropolitan access and pending instruments to be the main ones.
In the coming years, the country will complete its national town planning and approve the new law and strengthen monitoring of the implementation of the new urban agenda and promote nature based solutions to ensure adaptation to climate change.
President, the Dominican Republic recognizes that territorial planning as a public policy is absolutely essential for achieving the SDGs.
It is also therefore fundamental that we strengthen local capacity and integrate climate resilience into our planning.
We must also improve territorial information systems and promote South South cooperation.
We reaffirm our commitment to continue building a national planning system that is underpinned by solid institutions, innovation, and an integrated vision of development, working together with the United Nations system in order to step up implementation of the new urban agenda for the benefit of present and future generations.
I thank you.
I thank the Dominican Republic and I now give the floor to Guatemala.
President Guatemala welcomes the convening of this high level meeting on the midterm review of the new urban agenda, and we are grateful for the presentation of the SG's 20 2026 report.
It provides an overview of the progress that has been achieved, the challenges that still remain, and the priorities for accelerating implementation over the coming decade.
This review reminds us that urbanization should not be measured only by the growth of our cities, rather but by the capacity of our cities to guarantee dignified living conditions through access to adequate housing, basic services, safe mobility, environmental sustainability and resilient and inclusive communities.
Guatemala recognizes that despite the progress that has been made, there are still significant territorial and social disparities.
Recent national data shows considerable differences between urban and rural areas in terms of access to drinking water and sanitation.
And this highlights the need to continue expanding infrastructure and the development of opportunities.
In the area of social housing, Guatemala has instruments such as the housing fund known as F Pavi.
This provides housing subsidies to families living in poverty and extreme poverty.
Similarly, programs such as Piso dino have contributed to improving the housing conditions of vulnerable populations.
However, despite these efforts, these efforts remain insufficient given the housing deficit and the growth of informal settlements.
As a result, Guatemala continues to promote territorial planning, investment in infrastructure, and comprehensive neighborhood upgrades, especially in those areas particularly exposed to risk.
President Guatemala also has valuable local experience, and this has contributed to advancing more sustainable urban development.
This includes the adoption of national regulations for the integrated management of solid waste, Another example is the leadership demonstrated by the municipality of San Pedro La Laguna in the area of environmental sustainability.
The experience of the COVID 19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of territorial coordination and maintaining continuity in basic services and community organization.
All of these are important in strengthening urban resilience.
In this context, the community development councils have contributed to identifying needs, prioritizing solutions, and supporting the localization of the SDGs.
Furthermore, the fact that 110 municipalities reported zero homicides in 2025 demonstrates that security can also be built through social cohesion, community participation, and by the strengthening of local government.
Guatemala considers that sustainable urbanization must be grounded in inclusive and participatory governance.
The population, community organizations, municipal authorities, and the national government must all work together to identify challenges, build trust, and develop solutions that are rooted in local realities.
Similarly, partnerships amongst national and local governments, the United Nations systems, international financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders are crucial to promoting sustainable and long term transformation of our urban centers.
In this regard, Guatemala underscores the importance of developed countries, international organizations, and financial institutions.
Supporting developed countries and mobilizing large scale investment.
This is especially the case in the areas of housing, water and sanitation, sustainable mobility, and resilient infrastructure.
It is only through effective democratic governance, citizens' participation, multi level cooperation, and adequate financial resources that we will be able to step up implementation of the Nerban agenda and advance towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.
Guatemala reaffirms its commitment to continue working alongside the international community to achieve these objectives by 2036.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Guatemala.
We have heard the last speaker at today's meeting.
We will hear the remaining speakers at a date to be announced later on.
Let me recall that round tables one and two will be taking place tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.
And 11:30 A.M.
Respectively in the trusteeship council chamber.
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 178.
The meeting is suspended.