The UN-Habitat Secretariat is the executive organ of UN-Habitat, in charge of coordinating the programme. It designs, implements, manages and monitors UN-Habitat’s urban initiatives and human settlements development projects, and provides the Governing Council with strategic recommendations.
It is also mandated to carry out research activities and to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and best practices on urbanization questions such as global trends, effective approaches and new technologies. The Secretariat services the Governing Council and acts as the focal point for all human settlement matters within the United Nations system.
Under the direction of the Executive Director, it is entrusted with the responsibilities set out in both Resolution 32/162 and in paragraph 228 of the Habitat Agenda. The UN-Habitat Secretariat is structured in:
- Offices that carry out management and support tasks,
- Thematic organizational units, or branches, that handle a specific urban theme,
- Regional offices that deliver the UN-Habitat work programme at regional and country levels.
The headquarters of the UN-Habitat Secretariat are located in Nairobi, Kenya.
Our offices:
Office of the Executive Director (OED)
The Office of the Executive Director (OED) takes a lead role in defining and implementing UN-Habitat’s overall policy, strategies and programmes. Read more
Project Office (PO)
The Project Office is responsible for the overall coordination of the UN-Habitat project portfolio. Its overall objectives are to strengthen project development and management processes and to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the UN-Habitat projects. It oversees both the regional offices and the thematic organizational units (branches). Read more
Office of Management (OM)
The Office of Management essentially provides administrative and programme support. It coordinates and controls the agency’s finances, resources and administration as well as business processes, quality assurance, monitoring and reporting. Read more
External Relations (ER)
The Office for External Relations (ER) is UN-Habitat’s link to the outside, both towards the general public, media, policy makers and partners. It is organized in two branches, the Partners and Inter-Agency Coordination Branch (PIACB) and the Advocacy, Outreach and Communication Branch (AOC). Read more
Our branches:
Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch (ULLGB)
The Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch (ULLGB) provides policy and operational support for governments and cities to identify reforms and adopt laws and legal frameworks that effectively regulate urbanization issues such as land use, urban planning, taxation, housing, infrastructure or safety. Read more
Urban Planning and Design Branch (UPDB)
The Urban Planning and Design Branch (UPDB) supports governments and local authorities to plan the growth of cities in an inclusive, sustainable and future-proof way. Read more
Urban Economy Branch (UEB)
The Urban Economy Branch (UEB) focuses on promoting urban strategies and policies that strengthen the capacity of cities to become drivers of economic development and creators of wealth and employment. Read more
Urban Basic Services Branch (UBSB)
The Urban Basic Services Branch (UBSB) provides policy and technical support to partner countries and local authorities in the areas of water, sanitation, waste management, mobility and energy. Emphasis is placed on equitable access to these urban basic services, especially for the poor. Read more
Housing and Slum Upgrading Branch (HSUB)
The Housing and Slum Upgrading Branch (HSUB) develops strategies, policies and programmes to provide access to adequate housing for all, improve the living conditions in existing slums and curb the growth of new informal settlements. Read more
Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation Branch (RRRB)
The Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation Branch (RRRB) aims at increasing the resilience of cities to the impact of natural and human-made crises. It also assists governments and local authorities in managing catastrophes through its disaster response services and early recovery programmes. Read more
Urban Research and Capacity Development Branch (URCDB)
The Urban Research and Capacity Development Branch (URCDB) seeks to improve knowledge on urban issues and to build capacity in dealing with urbanization at local, national and global levels. Read more
Leadership
Executive Director - Dr. Joan Clos
Chief of Office of the Executive Director - Ms. Kazumi Ogawa
Director of Programme Division - Mr. Raf Tuts
Director of Operations Division - Mr. Andrew Cox
Director of External Relations Division - Ms. Christine Musisi
Branches
Head of Housing and Slum upgrading- Kerstin Sommer (recently appointed)
Head of Urban Basic Service- Andre Dzikus
Head of Urban Planning and Design- Laura Petrella (recently appointed)
Head of Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation Branch- Daniel lewis
Head of Urban Economy Branch- Marco kamiya
Head of Urban Land Legislation and Governance Branch- Robert- Lewis Lettington
Head of Research and capacity Building Branch- Eduardo Moreno
Regional Offices
Regional Office of Africa - Mr. Oyebanji Oyeyinka
Regional Office of Arab States - Dyfed Aubrey
Regional Office of Asia Pacific -Yoshinobu fukasawa
Regional Office of Latin America and the Caribbean -Elkin Valasquez
