About

About

The second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly will be held from 5 to 9 June 2023 in Nairobi. Kenya. The theme of the session is “A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises.”

As the governance body of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the United Nations Habitat Assembly convenes every four years. It is the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanization and human settlements.

The 193 UN Member States cast the votes, while participants include non-Member States, other UN bodies and specialized agencies, as well as intergovernmental organizations, civil society, private sector, academia and research institutions, women, youth and children, and grassroots organizations.

Thematic debates and discussions during the Assembly will focus on the following topics:
Universal access to affordable housing: Member States are encouraged to explore mechanisms to achieve the universal right to adequate housing and move towards removing existing barriers to affordable housing.

Urban climate action: to achieve the global commitment to stay within 1.5˚C limit on rising temperatures by 2030, Member States are encouraged to explore realistic urban pathways for climate action.

Urban crises recovery: current crises are increasingly more urban, with cities very often serving as the main places of arrival for displaced people. Member States are encouraged to empower cities to respond to urban crises and support national recovery efforts.

Localization of the SDGs: the Assembly will look at local actions needed to advance the implementation of SDGs to meet the 2030 Development Agenda targets. Member States will also be invited to explore financial mechanisms to ensure resources are directed toward urban development and reach local levels.

Prosperity and local finance: to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, respond to urban crises, advance urban climate action, and ensure adequate and affordable housing for all, cities need policies and fiscal resources. Member States are invited to explore policies and market mechanisms to ensure financial flows directed towards urban development and reach local levels. 

Notification by the Executive Director on the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Programme

Programme

Draft preliminary programme - 20 May 2023

Detailed Programme as at 2 May 2023

Provisional Agenda

Provisional Agenda

HSP/HA.2/1 – Provisional Agenda for the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly

Draft Resolutions and Decisions

Draft Resolutions and Decisions

International guidelines on people-centered smart cities – Draft as of 11 April 2023

Technical note by the Secretariat-International guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities

Draft resolution “International guidelines on people-centered smart cities” – version 8 May 2023, first reading

The draft resolution titled “International guidelines on people-centred smart cities” championed by France and South Korea - version of 22 May 2023

Accelerating Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2030– Zero draft as of 17 April 2023

Technical note by the Secretariat-Resolution on Accelerating Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2030

Draft resolution “Resolution on Accelerating Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2030”-version 8 May 2023,first reading

World Clean Up Day– Zero draft as of 20 April 2023

World Clean Up Day–Concept Note

World Clean up Day – Presentation

Technical note by the Secretariat-Resolution on Promoting World Cleanup Day

World Clean up Day - Zero draft as of 11 May

Draft zero resolution

Concept note Biodiverse and Resilient Cities

Final one-pager

Technical note by the Secretariat-Draft Resolution on Biodiverse and Resilient Cities: Zero Draft

Biodiverse and Resilient Cities-zero draft as of 11 May

Draft Resolution-Biodiverse and Resilient Cities-version of 17 MAY 2023

Draft procedural decisions – version as of 5 May 2023

Draft technical inputs - procedural decision-version of 17 MAY 2023

Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals championed by Brazil

Technical Note by the Secretariat

Draft resolution- Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals - version of 17 MAY 2023

Adequate Housing for All - Concept note

Draft zero resolution - Adequate Housing for All

The draft resolution titled “Adequate housing for all” championed by Kenya, France, Bahrain and Jordan - version of 22 May 2023

Draft resolution titled "Urban Planning and Sustainable Infrastructure"

Draft resolution titled "Creation of a Human Settlements Resilience Framework (early warning, foresight, risk reduction, crises response and post-crises recovery and reconstruction)"

Draft resolution titled "Equitable Financing and Effective Monitoring of the Implementation of Resolutions adopted by the United Nations Habitat Assembly"

Draft resolution titled "Enhancing the Linkage between Urbanization and Climate Change"

Ministerial Declaration

Ministerial Declaration

Technical Inputs for the framing of the Draft Ministerial Declaration of the Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly

Draft Ministerial Declaration of the Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly - version 18 May 2023

Pre-Session Documents

Pre-Session Documents

HSP/HA.2/INF/1: List of documents before the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly

Agenda item 2
HSP/HA.2/1 – Provisional Agenda for the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly

HSP/HA.2/1/Add.1 - Annotated Provisional Agenda including organization of work

Agenda item 3
HSP/HA/2/2 - Report of the Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Habitat Assembly at its second session

Agenda item 6
HSP/HA.2/3: Report of the Executive Board to the United Nations Habitat Assembly at its second session

Agenda item 7
HSP/HA.2/4-Activities of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme

HSP/HA.2/4/Add.2: Report of the Executive Director on the Cooperation with United Nations system entities, intergovernmental organizations, and other UN-Habitat partners in the implementation of the strategic plan for the period 2020–2023

HSP/HA.2/4/Add.1 : “ Joint activities in the urban environment: joint progress report of the Executive Directors of the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme”

HSP/HA.2/4/Add.4 : Highlights of the Annual Report 2022 on the implementation of the strategic plan of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme for the period 2020–2023

HSP/HA.2/INF/2-Country activities report 2022−2023

Agenda item 8
HSP/HA.2/5: Report of the Executive Director on Progress in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

HSP/HA.2/INF/3-Outcome of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to assess progress in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda: summary by the President of the seventy-sixth session of the General Assembly

Agenda item 9
Evaluation of the impact and outcomes of The Tenth Session of the World Urban Forum (full report)

HSP/HA.2/6: Report of the Executive Director on the tenth and eleventh sessions of the World Urban Forum

Report of the Tenth Session of the World Urban Forum

HSP/HA.2/INF/5-Independent report on the evaluation of the programme of the World Urban Forum for the period 2018–2023

HSP/HA.2/INF/6-Report of the eleventh session of the World Urban Forum: executive summary

HSP/HA.2/INF/4-Report of the tenth session of the World Urban Forum: executive summary

Report of the eleventh session of the World Urban Forum

Agenda item 10
HSP/HA.2/7 - Report of the Executive Director on the special theme of the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly

Agenda item 11
HSP/HA.2/8: Proposed extension of the current strategic plan of UN-Habitat for the period 2020–2023 to cover the period 2024–2025, including alignment of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review process with UN-Habitat planning cycles

HSP/HA/2/9 - Midterm evaluation of the implementation of the strategic plan

HSP/HA.2/10 - Note by the secretariat on the status of voluntary contributions to the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation as at 28 February 2023

HSP/HA/1/7- Draft strategic plan of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme for the period 2020–2025

Journal

Journal

Information for Participants

Information for Participants

Frequently asked questions on the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly – version as of 19 April 2023

Visas Information

General information for participants – version as of 18 May 2023

Meetings

Meetings

Registration

Registration

On-site accreditation and badging for both the UN-Habitat Assembly and the OECPR will open at the Pass & ID office (entrance via Visitors Pavilion) UNON Complex on the following dates:

 

 

Sunday, 28 May from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Monday, 29 May from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Tuesday, 30 May from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Wednesday, 31 May from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT) 

Thursday, 1 June (Closed for the Madaraka Public Holiday)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Friday, 2 June from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Saturday, 3 June from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Sunday, 4 June from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Monday, 5 June from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Tuesday, 6 June from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Wednesday 7 June from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Thursday, 8 June from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

Friday, 9 June from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm East Africa Time (EAT)

 

Exhibition

Exhibition

Urban Expo FAQs

The Urban Expo will take place on the sidelines of the second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly to showcase sustainable urban development projects, best practices, and cutting-edge solutions to tackle the challenges of housing, transport, energy, and climate change. Below is more information for Exhibitors.

Where are the exhibits displayed?

Exhibitions will be displayed at the conference area of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). The upper lobby area will have 3x1 meter booths for governments, academic institutions, UN entities, IGOs, and civil society.

A private sector exhibition area will be located at the Fountain Area behind the main conference that will have 3x2 meter booths.

Limited spaces for larger standalone exhibits will also be available for special exhibits and installations.   

How long will exhibitions be on display?

Exhibitions are on display for the duration of the Assembly, from 5 - 9 June, 2023.

Do Exhibitors need to be present at the booth for the entire Assembly?

Yes, we kindly ask exhibitors to ensure that one staff is present at their booth at all times throughout the entire Conference. The daily hours will follow the programme of the UN-Habitat Assembly.

What does the booth look like and who pays for it?

A 3-meter exhibition booth will cost $2,000, booths located in the main lobby will be 1 meter wide while those located in the Expo tent will be 2 meters wide.

Corporate sponsors can also support the participation of youth and women-led start-ups and non-profit organizations from developing and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by purchasing a 3x2m booth at $5,000.

Every booth includes two chairs, a small table and a counter, and access to electrical power. Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue. Exhibitors are responsible for all other related costs, including decoration/production, installation, promotion, hiring additional equipment, and an opening/event reception. 

Download Exhibition Guidelines

How will the booths be installed?

Upon approval of exhibitions, all exhibitors will be required to liaise with the Expo focal point and the contracted Event Management Company on logistics related to installation and exhibition services. The company will help to connect exhibitors with local vendors where needed. Exhibitors who have existing exhibitions they wish to display at the Urban Expo will still be required to liaise with the Expo focal point and the company on installation.

We suggest that exhibitors bring a laptop and a USB for their materials. Not all screens may be able to play files from USB.

Where can practical information for the UN-Habitat Assembly participants be found?

An information note for participants can be found on the UN-Habitat Assembly website. Please refer to this note for more information on entry requirements, hotels, etc.

How do exhibitor staff register and gain access to the Assembly?

All exhibition personnel must register for the Assembly. Personnel who are part of an accredited organization, UN organization, or member state will get a delegate badge which will enable them to gain access to the Assembly proceedings. Exhibition personnel who are not part of an accredited organization will receive an Exhibitor badge with no access to official assembly proceedings. More information can be found on the registration page of the UN-Habitat Assembly.

Where can Exhibitors find Assembly communication materials to promote their Exhibition?

UN-Habitat Assembly communication materials and guidelines will be available on the Assembly website shortly.

I have more questions, who can I contact?

If you still have questions or if any issues occur at the Assembly, please reach out to the Expo focal point Mr. Victor Mgendi, by email: victor.mgendi@un.org.

Side Events

Side Events

Side events are linked to the five key action areas highlighted in the Report of the Executive Director on the special theme of the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly. Side events showcase innovative approaches and transformative actions through effective and inclusive multilateralism in the following five areas:  

  1. Universal access to adequate housing
  2. Urban climate action and environmental protection
  3. Urban crisis recovery
  4. Localization of the SDGs and multilevel governance
  5. Urban prosperity and local finance

 

Side Events Programm        
 

Date & Time \ Location   Conference room 1 Conference room 6 Conference room 7 Conference room 8 Conference room 9 Conference room 10 Conference room 11 Conference room 13 Conference room 14 UNDSS Training room
Monday, 5 June 2023         
13:15 - 14:15
   

SIDE EVENT

Number 1

The Multilateral Voices in Urban Migration Context: Linking Spatial Planning to Financing Opportunities

SIDE EVENT

Number 2

Global Action Plan for Accelerating the Transformation of Slums and Informal Settlements to 2030

 

SIDE EVENT

Number 3

Localizing Sustainable Development Goal 11 by Centering Community Knowledge

SIDE EVENT

Number 4

BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE FOR THE URBAN POOR (BCRUP)

SIDE EVENT

Number 5

Promoting people centered smart cities for inclusive and sustainable futures leveraging global digital cooperation

SIDE EVENT

Number 6

New Approach to Affordable Housing Policy: Towards Access to Housing for All

SIDE EVENT

Number 7

The Need for Balance : Affordable Living and Adequate Affordable Housing for All

 
Monday, 5 June 2023         
18:15 - 19:15
 

SIDE EVENT

Number 8

Women Led Cities: Supporting and Enhancing Creative Multilateralism of Diverse Women’s Leadership of Businesses, Cities and Grassroot Organizations to Address Inequality and Gender-Based Violence and Make Cities Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable

SIDE EVENT

Number 9

Advancing the Commonwealth Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation; an inclusive multilateral, multi-sector, cross-discipline Commonwealth-led initiative to help deliver sustainable cities and human settlements

SIDE EVENT

Number 10

TBC

SIDE EVENT

Number 11

Multilevel, inclusive approaches to addressing the cities’ sleeping giants: “The GlobalABC and the Buildings Breakthrough"

SIDE EVENT

Number 12

Botswana's holistic approach towards slum transformation: improving settlements and livelihoods through the Participatory Slum Upgrading Program, Case of Boikhutso & Monarch wards, Francistown, Botswana

SIDE EVENT

Number 13

Responding climate, nature and pollution emergencies through urbanization and multilevel action

SIDE EVENT

Number 14

Localisation to Close the Accessibility Gap: From WUF 11 Legacy on Universal Accessibility to engagement of Persons with Disabilities towards the full implementation of the New Urban Agenda

SIDE EVENT

Number 15

Multilateral governance through Korea National Urban Policy Programme in 8 countries: Transforming life from Phase1 to Phase 2

SIDE EVENT

Number 16

Building capacity and fiscal resilience of cities and local governments in Africa

SIDE EVENT

Number 17

TBC

Tuesday, 6 June 2023         
13:15 - 14:15
   

SIDE EVENT

Number 18

Progress in sustainable and resilient urban development of cities and metropolitan areas in Central America and the Dominican Republic

SIDE EVENT

Number 19

BiodiverCities

 

SIDE EVENT

Number 20

Localizing Action on the New Urban Agenda and Climate Change: The Road to WUF12

 

SIDE EVENT

Number 21

Transformation from the bottom-up: how African countries are advancing SDG localization and the Finland-Tanzania model of cooperation

SIDE EVENT

Number 22

Cities using data to support the localization, implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda – A case example of City of Durban’s Strategic Hub

SIDE EVENT

Number 23

Quality of Life Initiative: Putting people at the heart of transformative change

SIDE EVENT

Number 24

TBC

Wednesday, 7 June 2023         
13:15 - 14:15
   

SIDE EVENT

Number 25

Partnerships for Localizing Multilateralism: Implications of the Water Action Agenda on Urban Development

   

SIDE EVENT

INTERPRETATION ENGLISH/CHINESE

Number 26

Towards a multilateral collaboration and knowledge exchange system to accelerate SDGs implementation in cities

 

SIDE EVENT

Number 27

The interdependence of peace, development and humanitarian action in building urban resilience in Yemen

SIDE EVENT

Number 28

Recovering Territorial Balance by Strengthening Urban-Rural Linkages Towards a global partnership to promote Urban Rural Linkages approach

SIDE EVENT

Number 29

Planning and building our liveable cities: what it takes and what it needs

 

SIDE EVENT

Number 30

Leveraging Subnational Finance to Achieve a Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Future

Thursday, 8 June 2023         
13:15 - 14:15
   

SIDE EVENT

Number 31

Localizing SDGs and human rights through the UN Universal Periodic Review

SIDE EVENT

Number 32

Is the world ready to prioritise people over cars? How public transport, walking and cycling can rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement.

 

SIDE EVENT

INTERPRETATION ENGLISH/ARABIC

Number 33

The State of Arab Cities, Towards Vibrant Cities

 

SIDE EVENT

Number 34

World Cleanup Day – Collective Trigger for a Sustainable Change

SIDE EVENT

Number 35

Regional Actions supporting SDG Localization and Urban Resilience

SIDE EVENT

Number 36

Unleashing the transformative power of financing for sustainable, just, and resilient urban development and transition: innovating and converging for change

SIDE EVENT

Number 37

Inclusive Urban Regeneration: overcoming challenges for social and environmental value creation

Thursday, 8 June 2023         
18:15 - 19:15
   

SIDE EVENT

Number 38

Quito+7: A collective dialogue to recover and fulfill the New Urban Agenda’s Commitments

SIDE EVENT

Number 39

Leveraging Local and Multilevel Governance for sustainable Food System Transformation

SIDE EVENT

Number 40

Expanding equitable access to adequate housing for those living in informal settlements

SIDE EVENT

Number 41

Shaping the future of African Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Multitude of vulnerabilities and pathways to change for resilient urban development

 

SIDE EVENT

Number 42

Urban and Territorial Planning Response to the Climate Crisis: Climate Leadership in Practice and Education

SIDE EVENT

Number 43

SDG Cities Certification: Facilitating multilateral cooperation from data integration to finance to accelerate achieving SDGs in Cities

SIDE EVENT

Number 44

Resilient cities, greener neighbourhoods, thriving communities: the power of nature-based solutions

SIDE EVENT

Number 45

TBC

Seating Arrangements

Seating Arrangements

Credentials

Credentials

Rule 17 of the rules of procedure of the United Nations Habitat Assembly on “Credentials” provides the following:

“1. The credentials of representatives and the names of alternate representatives and advisers shall be submitted to the Executive Director before the first meeting that the representatives are to attend.

2. The Bureau of the UN-Habitat Assembly shall examine the credentials and submit its report to the Assembly. The present rule shall not, however, prevent a State Member of the United Nations from changing its representatives, alternate representatives or advisers subsequently, subject to proper submission and examination of credentials, where needed.”

In this regard, UN-Habitat wishes to encourage Permanent and Observer Missions to submit credentials at the earliest, and if possible, by Thursday 25 May 2023.

The credentials should be submitted through a formal letter or Note Verbale from the Head of State or Government or the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the Secretary to the Governing Bodies of UN-Habitat, Mr. Chris Mensah through the emails: chris.mensah@un.org and unhabitat-sgb@un.org

Visa Information

Visa Information

It is the participant’s own responsibility to obtain a visa for the Republic of Kenya. Participants required to be in possession of a visa are advised to obtain one as early as possible. A valid visa should be obtained in advance from the Kenyan Embassy/High Commission in the participant’s country of residence or the nearest Kenya Embassy in the region. The information provided here acts only as guidance.

A valid passport, valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, is required for entry into the Country. For more information on guidance on eligibility and visa requirements must register through the visa portal available at: https://evisa.go.ke/. Kindly take note that, Nationals who do not require visas, and participants on UNLP will get an epass free of charge on application to present to the airlines on travel. Participants on Diplomatic, Service, and Official passports will be issued with courtesy visas.

Additionally, all applicants should keep in mind that:

1. When filling the form, are advised to choose meeting/workshop as the reason for the travel.
2. On host details, please choose firm on the drop-down menu, and on the full name and address of the host, fill UN-Habitat General Assembly and use the address of UN-Habitat.
3. The document to be uploaded for both the invitation letter from the host and the company registration certificate is the invitation letter issued after registration.

Nationals of the following countries require a referred visa prior to arrival in the Republic of Kenya and which should be acquired in advance through a Kenyan Embassy: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, State of Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, and Stateless persons.

Solomon Islands, South Africa (for less than 30 days stay), Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Participants are warned of the many pseudo sites purporting to offer the service of a Kenya visa and only apply using https://evisa.go.ke/.

Please note that visas are not required for citizens of: The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Cyprus, Dominica(not to be confused with Dominican Republic), Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino.

Hotel Information

Hotel Information

Nairobi Hotels Rates – UNON Travel Unit

Accreditation for stakeholder organizations

Accreditation for stakeholder organizations

How to attend as an accredited organization

Accreditation is granted to organisations to allow them to attend UN-Habitat intergovernmental meetings as observers. These meetings include the UN-Habitat Assembly, the Executive Board, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Accreditation is important because, it provides an opportunity for organisations to contribute to the policy-making process of the UN-Habitat and share their expertise. Accreditation is for organisations and not individuals.

Representatives of duly accredited organisations may attend the second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly and will be required to provide proof of their nomination by the accredited organizations. These include organizations accredited to either: (i) the First Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, (ii) the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the special session of the General Assembly to assess implementation of the Habitat Agenda (Istanbul + 5), (iii) the third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) – Prepcom2 and Prepcom3,  or (iv) non-governmental organisations in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The nominated representatives of accredited organisations are required to register online for the Assembly by 25 May 2023 (23:59 EAT).

The duly accredited organisations have up until 5 May 2023 to confirm attendance and to nominate not more than five representatives of each organisation to the Assembly in writing on official letter head to unhabitat-partners@un.org

Organization neither accredited nor in consultative status with ECOSOC as indicated in (i) to (iv) above  were invited to apply for ad hoc accreditation to attend the second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly. The deadline for application for ad hoc accreditation was Friday 31 March 2023 and is now closed. The accreditation decision will be communicated directly to the organization concerned.

Application for Speaking Slots

Application for Speaking Slots

We welcome National Delegations to register for a speaking slot for plenary sessions of the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in order to deliver their national statements.

Delegations are requested to note the following:

  • 3 minutes will be allocated for National Statements
  • 5 minutes will be allocated for statements delivered on behalf of regional and political groups

Registration for speaking slots will close on Tuesday, 6 June 2023 at 12:00 EAT

Field Visits and Tours

Field Visits and Tours

Cradle of mankind

Kenya Tourism Board - Passport Booklet

Golf in Kenya

Culture and Heritage - Kenya

Sports and Adventure - Kenya

48 Hours in Nairobi

48 Hours in Mombasa

Destination KISUMU

Marsabit COUNTY

Media Centre

Media Centre

A detailed Press Centre programme will be published here soon. Check this page to get the latest updates about press events and briefings during the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly.