Nairobi, 15 October 2020 - The Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat Mr. Victor Kisob, and Dr. Djibril Diallo, President and CEO of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (RDN) virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a broad framework of cooperation.

The Memorandum aims to: (a) popularise the Sustainable Development Goals while emphasizing the promotion of sustainable urbanization within the framework of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development; (b) strive to anchor peace and security in cities, as well as sustainable development, using sport, art and culture as entry points; (c)  work to protect  the most vulnerable and those who have traditionally been marginalised or under-represented in cities and informal settlements; (d) raise worldwide awareness of the importance of sustainable urbanization in Africa. The parties also agree to combat all forms of violence against women.

UN-Habitat’s Deputy Executive Director Victor Kisob said: “It is clear that we are seeing a rapid trend of urbanization in Africa and emerging opportunities for investment in cities and town to reduce inequalities and to boost local economy.”

"Cities and other municipalities are the drumbeats of community -- how they are planned, operated, developed and led can have a vast impact on people, nations and the world,"  said Dr. Diallo. "We are honoured to call UN Habitat a partner in our efforts to amplify the Sustainable Development Goals, and to give a red card to all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, in cities across the world.”

For more information contact:

Ms.Susannah Price, UN-Habitat Chief of Communication  susannah.price@un.org,

Ms. Sandrine Delgado, ARDN, +221 70 309 70 80, sandrine.delgado@ardn.ngo 

About UN-Habitat

UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. Working with governments and local partners, its high impact projects combine world-class expertise and local knowledge to deliver timely and targeted solutions. www.unhabitat.org

About ARDN

The African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) serves as a coordinating body to unite t The African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) serves as a coordinating body to unite the efforts of individuals and organizations with a single goal: to support the advent of the African renaissance by fostering unity among African nations and all peoples of African descent. ARDN has been active as an informal body since the 1990s.