Tunis, 09 January 2019 – Within the framework of its partnership with Libya’s Urban Planning Agency (UPA), UN-Habitat started a ten-day training course in Geoinformation System (GIS) mapping on urban planning for 18 civil servants from different branches of UPA across Libya, and the municipalities of Benghazi, Ubari, Al Kufra, Sebha, Sirte and Janzour.
Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, December 2018 - The three-year partnership between UN-Habitat and several institutions in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, culminated in the 2018 International Placemaking Week. Nearly 500 participants from 41 countries explored how to improve urban public spaces and ensure that communities help create, plan, design and manage public spaces which promote the public’s health, happiness and well being.
Like a river, 2018 has been washed away and 2019 is here. Like a river, 2018 was turbulent in some parts and tranquil in other parts. I am very happy that we accomplished much in building a new UN-Habitat that is trusted, transparent and focuses on improving people’s lives in an increasingly urbanizing world.
2019 offers great opportunities to position UN-Habitat as a centre of excellence and innovation. These include:
Nairobi, 19 December 2018 – UN-Habitat and the County Government of Vihiga in Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support capacity and skills development for women and youth through youth empowerment and economic opportunity. It provides a framework for UN-Habitat and the County Government of Vihiga to promote sustainable human settlements development in Vihiga County.
Nairobi, December 27, 2018 - UN-Habitat and the County Government of Meru in Kenya have come together to provide training in construction, soft entrepreneurship and leadership skills to 60 youth selected from a group of 1,000 in the Meru Youth Service. The training included production of Stabilized Soil Blocks (SSB) made by mixing soil, water and cement using Makiga technology, a specialized machine for production of Stabilized Soil Blocks.
QENA, Egypt –19th December 2018
The Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities represented by the General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP) and the Governorate of Qena have launched together with UN Habitat Egypt Office and the Embassy of Switzerland in Egypt the “Hayenna Integrated Urban Development project”.
10 December marks Human Rights Day and the end of the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, this year focused on the theme of #HearMeToo. As part of this, the UN-Habitat Gender Equality Unit has curated a sound installation in the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), fusing the sounds of the city with narrations of personal experiences of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Nanjing, China, December 14, 2018 – Formulation of a new vision for Nanjing City aimed at positioning it as a Leader in Innovation in a Beautiful Ancient Capital was launched at an international forum on the Nanjing 2035 International Forum on Urban Development hosted by Nanjing Municipal People’s Government and UN-Habitat.
Adapting Humanitarian Response in Urban Contexts: Regional Consultation on Key Instruments - Middle East Consultation
KATOWICE, POLAND, December 12, 2018 – The UN-Habitat guide to Addressing Urban and Human Settlement Issues in National Adaptation Plans was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-24) in Katowice, Poland last week. The guide highlights the crucial role of scaling up climate action by integrating human settlements into national adaptation planning and processes.