New York, 17 March 2015 - During the 59th session on the Commission for the Status of Women, the side event Habitat III, Beijing+20 and the City We Need was hosted by the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Ms. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira. Other distinguished panelists at the event included Ms. Suneeta Dhar of JAGORI; Mr. Moez Doraid from UN WOMEN; Ms. Olenka Ochoa of FEMUM and Ms. Jan Peterson from the Huairou Commission.

Dr. Kacyira noted that urban crime and violence are at the top of the agenda for those committed to sustainable urban development. In addition, Dr. Kacyira indicated the importance of focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability in cities; as these face decades of escalating energy consumption, which will aggravate economic, social and environmental challenges.

On her part, Ms. Dhar said there was a growing awareness that data collection, indicators and monitoring systems, and their direct relationship to the formulation of policies and urban strategies are increasingly paramount as the world becomes more urban. Indeed, “we can’t conceive a city without violence and without access to data and information”, she said.

The importance of governance and society was also discussed during the event, with Ms. Olenka Ochoa, FEMUN, noting “the city we need depends of the government we want and the society we build”. Dr. Kacyira concluded the event by stating that “strengthening partnerships, creating data and building networks can be framed into a strong gender perspective for the city we need".

Watch the recording on UN Web TV.