1 February 2021 – UN-Habitat has extended the closing date for applications to host three future Global Observances - World Habitat Day both in 2021 and 2022 and World Cities Day in 2022 only. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest for these Global Observances is now Friday 26 February 2021.

The two days, which mark the start and end of Urban October every year, aim to highlight the opportunities, challenges and importance of sustainable urbanization. During the day representatives of national, regional and local authorities, other UN agencies and NGOs, academics, business people, community leaders and practitioners share best practices and solutions, network and brainstorm on advancing the New Urban Agenda and the urban dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

World Habitat Day, which was established in 1985, is on the first Monday of each October.  The programme includes a high-level  ceremony, the presentation of the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour awards and roundtables, workshops and other events and will fall on 4 October in 2021 and 3 October in 2022.

Urban October concludes with World Cities Day on 31 October each year. It was established in 2013 and the first Global Observance took place the following year in Shanghai.  World Cities Day has an overall theme of Better City, Better Life although each year the Days have a theme which focuses on an aspect of sustainable urbanization.

The theme of World Habitat Day 2021 will reflect Climate Change and Climate Action while World Habitat Day and World Cities Day in 2022 will look at Inclusive, Vibrant Neighbourhoods and Communities. The modality of the Global Observances (whether virtual, hybrid or physical) will be decided by UN-Habitat and the host city.

More information on the Global Observance of World Habitat Day is here.

More information on the Global Observance of World Cities Day is here.

A city or country wishing to express its interest to officially host the Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2021 or 2022 or World Cities Day in 2022 should send an official communication on an organizational letterhead and with an authorized signature, highlighting its capacity and commitment to provide the required funding. The communication, addressed to the UN-Habitat Executive Director, Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, should be sent to the below emails before Friday 26 February at 23.59 East African Time:

World Habitat Day 2021 or 2022: unhabitat-whd@un.org

World Cities Day 2022: unhabitat-wcd@un.org

Expression of Interest to host World Habitat Day 2021 and 2022.

Expression of Interest to host World Cities Day 2022