UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Lands discussed the New Urban Agenda during a public dialogue. The dialogue was themed “A Sustainable Urban Future through Inclusive and effective stakeholder partnership: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Times of Global Crises”.
The event aimed to encourage citizens, communities, civil society, and the private sector to participate in accelerating the implementation of the NUA.
The United Nations Habitat Assembly convenes once every four years to review major issues and trends affecting the world.
The Stakeholders’ Engagement Policy developed by UN-Habitat is guiding the second dialogue, which is aimed at further implementing the New Urban Agenda (NUA), especially since Kenya was one of the first countries to adopt it domestically.
The second dialogue is being convened and guided by the Stakeholders’ Engagement Policy developed by UN-Habitat. This effort is aimed at further implementing the New Urban Agenda, especially since Kenya was one of the first countries to adopt it domestically.
Executive Director UN-Habitat, Maimunah Sharif lauded the Kenyan government for having been among the first countries that have mainstreamed NUA.
This dialogue focused on the key areas of Urban Climate action, urban crisis recovery, localization of SDGs, and prosperity and Finance. The speakers gave several insights to the attendees on what are the dos and don’ts of achieving the aim of sustainable cities through planning.
Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Mwangi Njeru of the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, lauded the stakeholders for their commitment towards ensuring that every Kenyan can have an affordable and decent living of dignity.
“The government has delved much in addressing the inadequacy in the housing issues as we also seek to ensure that all the Title Deeds are availed to the various land owners around the country. Let everyone partake of their tax-paying duties as a way of supporting the government to roll out these projects which will in turn assist deal with the situation at hand,” said CS Njeru.
Bastian Scholz country director of FES called on the need to achieve or set up a strategy for attaining sustainable cities since urbanization is the future for Africa. He emphasizes that through equitability and bringing various players on board to cater for all classes across the country in affordability of housing.
He stressed the vitality of renewable energy, as the low carbon emissions are targeted something points out that BasiGo and Roam among others offer electric vehicles as a means of commuting and an option for fossil-fueled machines.
“No matter who is engaged, we are supposed to endeavor towards working in unity as we strive to make our cities sustainable and just within the countries and African continent as well as the world at large,” said Bastian.
UN-Habitat, country manager Mr. George Okoth urged on the need to shift mentality from how housing is perceived saying that it’s not about the four walls but the availing of necessary services vital for people living. As the population soars it’s noted that 4.4 billion people live in the cities, a space that is about to receive 790 million more people.
He further revealed that Nairobi is about to have 7 million people in the population, which calls for preplanning and strategizing to meet all their needs appropriately. Further highlighting that Housing does not only involve SDG 11 as mostly stated, rather it revolves around SDGs 1, 3, 5, 6, and SDG 7.
Mr. Okoth having come from Homabay where he was offering 25 social homes to the local communities stressed that UN-Habitat having been in play for the last 40 years is focused on partnering and localizing SDGs attainment.
“We focus on habitability that is offering social housing for the people, Gender parity a sector that is based on SDG 5 aiming at offering women an easier and similar opportunity to own deeds, and local community engagement in projects at the local level that then assist in Policing having grasped challenges faced,” said Mr. Okoth.
The first session of the UN-Habitat Assembly which was held earlier in May 2019, followed a preceding public dialogue that entailed the involvement of a formal Global stakeholders’ forum that is; major groups, Civil society, networks, and Coalitions from across the globe. The first meeting emphasized the aspect of the New Urban Agenda themed- ‘leaving no one behind ‘which was attributed to as an integral feature in the build-up for future UNHA.
