With resolution 2/1, UN-Habitat was entrusted with developing the International Guidelines on People-centred Smart Cities. In line with the resolution's operational paragraphs, an extensive intergovernmental consultation process was conducted, ensuring that the guidelines reflect diverse perspectives, build on evidence and address the evolving challenges of digitalization in urban governance.

Member States have played a key role throughout this process, nominating experts in the domains of urban development, digitalization, data, housing and others relevant ones, that have attended the Global Expert Working Group as well as the regional consultations. These experts belong to diverse regions and specializations and they have contributed to the drafting by sharing good practices, lessons learned, and forward-looking solutions. Their engagement has been instrumental in balancing different national priorities, ensuring that the guidelines remain globally relevant, practical, and adaptable to varied urban contexts. In the same spirit, the Secretariat has sought to balance the different feedback received, with the aim of creating a framework that is supported by all Member States in shaping people-centred smart cities.

The draft guidelines were submitted for feedback and comments to member states on February 10 and furthermore discussed during the 63rd, 64th and 65th meetings of the Ad-Hoc Working Group on Programmatic, Budgetary, and Administrative Matters (PBA) on February 17 and 24 and 5th March respectively. Inputs and recommendations have been instrumental to achieve a more balanced and therefore hopefully acceptable version of the draft document. The draft was shared with UNON Conference Services to allow for translation on 14th March to be made available as a pre-session document for consideration and possible approval during the resumed second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly.

The SADC Regional Strategy for transformation of slums and informal settlements has been aligned with SADC Secretariat priorities. During the WUF 12 in Cairo a SADC ministerial meeting endorsed the progress of the Strategy. The contribution agreement with Republic of South Africa includes funding for the development and implementation of a sub-regional strategy, with an annual budget allocation. The SADC Secretariat is in charge of the political component of the development of the strategy, Regional Adviosory Group has been constituted to work with UN-Habitat , the technical lead. (OP3 and 4)

UN-Habitat country offices continue to implement a range of technical assistance and direct implementation projects for settlement upgrading and housing provision, particularly in humanitarian contexts. (OP5, 6 and 7)

Discussions with the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS, 79 member States) continue for the design of a project largely aimed at the implementation of the resolution, including: advocacy and political mobilisation, capacity building and operationalization of the technical guidelines on multiple partnership approaches, and a competitive process for countries to apply for funds to support already ongoing initiatives in ACP countries from different thematic entry-points. (OP5, 6 and 7)

The Informality Taskforce of Cities Alliance has started consultations with its members on how to operationalize the 10 areas of action to deliver the resolution as a multi-stakeholder initiative. Priority countries were identified and the 4 Member States have expressed support and interest to be part of the ITF activities that inclide initially situation analysis, formulation of concept notes for joint projects. (OP5, 6 and 7)

The outline of content of the ‘Technical Guidelines for a Multiple Partnership Approach’ has progressed. An agreement for joint resource mobilisation with IIED is being considered. (OP8)

Engagement with UNICEF has led to formulation of a joint project concept note to promote community resilience in informal settlements but with special focus on children (OP5, 6 and 7)
 

UNGA Resolution A/78/122 approved the establishment of September 20 as World Cleanup Day (WCD), inviting global action to combat plastic pollution and environmental degradation. Entrusted with facilitating its observance, UN-Habitat, together with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, GRID-Arendal, the FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment and Let’s Do It World, celebrated the inaugural WCD in Tromsø, Norway. (OP2)

Focusing on protecting Arctic ecosystems and fighting plastic pollution, WCD 2024 attracted significant global engagement and awareness-raising efforts, including a livestream reaching international audiences. More than 50,000 cleanup events in 180 countries were registered as organising a cleanup on the day.

A note verbale has been sent in February 2025 inviting Member States to express interest in hosting the 2025 and 2026 observances. Deadline for application is 31 March (OP8).

UN-Habitat has accelerated the mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystem services into urban and territorial planning. A brochure on the agency’s urban biodiversity work was disseminated, events were organized at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali (October 2024) and at WUF12 (November 2024), and an information document on this resolution was submitted to the Parties to the CBD. (OP1)

In parallel, two reports were produced: one on best practices related to multi-scalar and supra-municipal planning for prevention-oriented development and another on the urban content of national and local biodiversity strategies and action plans. (OP2)

Due to lack of funding for the establishment of an expert advisory group, UN-Habitat is in discussions with relevant organizations about convening a group of experts who would already be attending the upcoming CBD COP17 in Armenia and WUF13 in Azerbaijan in 2026. (OP2).

UN-Habitat has also explored opportunities for investment in and development of pilot projects and programmes through bilateral meetings with international financial institutions, their accredited implementing agencies, and relevant interested line ministries. (OP4, 5)

Pursuant to OP6, UN-Habitat is linking key elements of the New Urban Agenda, such as minimizing sprawl, to biodiversity protection. The agency co-organized a biodiversity webinar with the Environmental Management Group and is exploring the creation of an ‘issue management group’ on land use changes. Concurrently, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) is funding “BiodiverCities for the acceleration of the New Urban Agenda”, projects in Mesoamerican countries, building on the BiodiverCities network, a joint initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Humboldt Institute.

The development of the “Hotspot Stoplight” toolkit for biodiverse and resilient cities is well underway, in partnership with the McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology . It uses open-source data, artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms to project urban expansion and the risks of biodiversity loss and climate change to 2050. UN-Habitat presented the Stoplight at the 24th Understanding Risk Global Forum in Himeji, Japan (June 2024), and at a technical session of the World Bank in Washington DC, USA (January 2025). (OP7) For details, see document HSP/EB.2024/INF/16.

UN-Habitat organized the 2024 Innovate4Cities conference convening nearly 2,000 stakeholders across academia and research, government, business, and civil society to present cutting-edge research and practices. Following the conference, UN-Habitat co-published an updated Global Research and Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science (GRAA), identifying current research gaps to guide practice-oriented research and innovation.

At the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, UN-Habitat launched its flagship World Cities Report on Cities and Climate Action, analyzing current and expected climate impacts and differing vulnerabilities faced by urban populations across different regions and cities. This report shows that cities are leading the way through innovative, community-led approaches - demonstrating the potential of collaborative, inclusive approaches to climate action. The GRAA and the World Cites Report are expected to contribute to the forthcoming IPCC special report on climate change and cities. (OP1, 6)

At WUF12 and COP29, held in Baku, UN-Habitat organized, co-organized or participated in over 50 climate change-related events including inter alia, on buildings, housing and climate resilient informal settlements, urban planning, water and sanitation, SDG localization, finance, urban health, loss and damage etc. Trainings on enhancing the urban content of the NDCs were also held. (OP1, 4)

The third Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, hosted by the COP29 presidency and co-organized by UN-Habitat, featured a high-level opening and four ministerial roundtables, for in-depth discussions on: i. Green Construction and Buildings; ii. Urban Transport and Infrastructure, iii. Nature, Health, and Resilience in Cities, iv. Urban Climate Finance. (OP2, 8)

The operationalization of the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) initiative received a significant boost, thanks to the funding committed by the government of the Slovak Republic. Resource mobilization continues, particularly for the COP30 Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, NDC3.0 enhancement and for SURGe regional hubs. (OP3)

COP30 preparations are well underway with an initial mission to Brasilia conducted in February 2025 with a view of preparing for (i) the 4th Ministerial Meeting on Urbanizatino and Climate Change, (ii) urbanization day(s), (iii) an urban pavilion and (iv) legaciy initiatives. Following COP29, the Baku Continuety Coalition is being developed into a partnership for accelerating multilevel climate governaance and the MAP initiative is conceptualized as an implementation mechanism of support to SURGe.

An initial SURGe platform has been developed and an NDC3.0 tool is currently undergoing comprehensive peer review.

A regional roll-out strategy of SURGe has been developed and is under dicussion with Regional Offices.

In partnership with the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, UN-Habitat has launched the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs. The initiative supports national governments in developing National SDG Localization Frameworks – the set of national policies, governance mechanisms, projects and resources to accelerate the delivery of sustainable development at the local level. The membership of the Partnership Platform is open to any national government or institution: Tunisia and Senegal have already joined, while discussions are ongoing with Costa Rica, Ghana, Finland, and Saudi Arabia.

The SDG Cities initiative has reached more than 100 cities in 39 countries. To expand global support, the SDG Cities Global Community was launched during WUF 12 with the intention of providing a partner-led platform for cities to connect and exchange. More than 20 events are already planned for 2025.

Together with the OECD, UN-Habitat is launching the Global Stocktake on Localizing the SDGs to create an evidence base on the reach and impact of localization efforts across the globe, looking at bringing new evidence at the 2027 SDG Summit. A high-level event will take place during the OECD Urban Days on April 16.

The Sport and Sustainable Urban Development Initiative, launched in partnership with the International Olympic Committee, is fully operational and active in Egypt, Jordan, Brazil, and Ghana, with cities such as Tampere, Riyadh and Brisbane already joining in.

Lastly, through the Local2030 Coalition, and with funding support from the Government of Spain and the Joint SDG Fund, 30 joint proposals were developed by UN Country Teams, with total funding of USD 24 million disbursed to accelerate SDG localization and advance the six transitions.

The first session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All was held from 9 to 11 December 2024 in Nairobi. The first session deliberated on several substantive agenda items, captured in a summary by the Chair, and adopted terms of reference to supplement the Intergovernmental Working Group’s application of the rules of procedure of the UN Habitat Assembly.

Mexico, as president of the UN-Habitat Assembly, chaired the first session and France and Kenya were elected as co-chairs for the second session of the Intergovernmental Working Group. All documents related to the first session are available at: https://unhabitat.org/meetings/open-ended-intergovernmental-expert-work….

The dates proposed for the 2nd Intergovernmental Working Group are 22nd and 23rd October and it will be preceded by two intersessional activities will be implemented in Q2 and Q3 of 2025, as per the workplan prepared by the Co-Chairs.

France and Kenya jointly hosted a political briefing in the margins of the World Urban Forum. The event strengthened and broadened the coalition of countries championing the implementation of resolution 2/7. The co-chairs will co-organise a high level dialogue on housing to be held on the 29th May 2025 in the plenary of the 2nd Resumed Session of the Assembly.

UN-Habitat headquarters, regional and country offices continue to implement a series of adequate housing related projects, as described in the documents for the first session of the Intergovernmental Working Group. UN-Habitat is also working with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs to support the Secretary General in reporting to the General Assembly on matters relating to homelessness.

 

Pursuant to resolution 2/8, Our City Plans platform has expanded its tools, case studies and thematic content, including planning activities and tools focusing on climate action, participation, socio-spatial inclusion, sustainable urban mobility and urban finance.

Additionally, UN-Habitat finalized the draft of “Local Approaches to Financing Sustainable Urban Mobility in Low-Income Countries”, a publication addressing linkages between spatial planning, infrastructure (implementation, operation and maintenance) and local revenue.

The Capital Investment Planning Methodology Guidelines are under review and set to be applied beyond India, Indonesia, and Kyrgyzstan to Mozambique - with ongoing discussions with the World Bank on further co-developing the manual and guidelines. This methodology, linking spatial planning with regional and urban investments, was also provided as a training to national and local governments during WUF12.

The Atlas on Urban Regeneration, developed with the Sustainable Urban Regeneration Lab of Bocconi University, was launched at WUF12, featuring case studies on linkages between spatial planning and physical and social infrastructure. The Urban Regeneration Training package, covering spatial planning, socio-economic assessments, financing, and innovation, has been finalized. (OP1)

Decentralisation of Urban Labs with Regional and Country offices to support efforts in portfolio and capacity development, providing methodologies and tools for spatial planning, finance and economy and sustainable infrastructure planning (OP1,2)

Consultations with Member States have been conducted to advance the resolution's implementation, with a specific focus on developing countries. (OP1, 2)

On engagements with financing institutions, under the lead of the Executive Director, a collaboration framework is being elaborated, and several events have taken place , presenting UN-Habitat’s strategic plan, methodologies and tools linking spatial planning and finance of housing, infrastructure and services.

Preparations for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4, July 2025) continue, with a side-event planned for the 3rd FfD4 PrepCom Session. (OP5)

Urban labs continue to provide technical assistance for integrated planning and infrastructure development, now in Mesoamerica, West Africa, Asia and Southern Africa (latter under negotiation). Additional portfolio has been acquired in Cuba, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Eswatini, Egypt. Jordan, Vietnam, Nepal, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, amongst others. (OP6)

In response to resolution 2/9, UN-Habitat continues to work towards the development of a comprehensive operational resilience framework for early warning, foresight, risk reduction, crisis response and post-crisis recovery and reconstruction. (OP1)

An initial concept note was produced and disseminated within UN-Habitat. Once internally enriched and agreed, the concept note was shared with external partners for further consultation and enhancement. UN-Habitat is producing a zero-draft framework with inputs collected during the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (November 2024). Progress to date is limited as no extra resources have been mobilized for the production of the framework and the implementation of the resolution, including the emergency response fund.

Through its resolution 2/10, the UN-Habitat Assembly seeks to improve the funding of underfunded resolutions by establishing the Urban Action Funding Window as a new funding mechanism, complemented by regular reporting on the implementation of resolutions. In 2023, the funding window was established within the financial system of UN-Habitat, and its terms of reference were endorsed by the Executive Board in its decision 2023/6. (OP3, 4)

In 2024, the contribution agreement template was revised to include the elective transfer of project balances to the Urban Action Funding Window, with explicit reference to resolution 2/10, decision 2023/6 of the Executive Board, and to the terms of reference for the Funding Window. Engagement with donors on such transfers will be supported through advocacy and communication. (OP5)

This present web page corresponds to the tracking system on the implementation of UN-Habitat's resolutions, as requested within the text of the resolution. This web page will be updated semi-annually. (OP1, 2)

Disclaimer: "The implementation of resolution 1/1, "United Nations Human Settlements Programme strategic plan for the period 2020-2023", following the requirements placed in the text of the resolution, is to be considered cost-neutral."

Pursuant to resolution 1/1, the implementation period of the 2020–2023 strategic plan was extended to 2025. An independent midterm review of the strategic plan of UN-Habitat for the period 2020–2025 by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (HSP/EB.2024/4) has been completed. Progress on the implementation of the 2020-2025 strategic plan is detailed in HSP/EB.2024/17 and HSP/EB.2025/INF.9.

In response to resolution 1 /2, UN-Habitat co-developed an urban safety monitoring tool with mayors, academia, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Human Security Unit, inter alia. UN-Habitat also developed an e-learning course entitled “Urban safety and human security in cities”, for municipal practitioners, civil servants, urban planners, non-governmental and community-based organizations and other stakeholders. (OP4)

Together with the Global Network on Safer Cities, UN-Habitat also organized multiple peer-learning events on safety and well-being in cities, including during the 12th session of the World Urban Forum. Lesons learned have been summarized into a publication titled "Neighborhoods for All- Peer-to-Peer Learning on Safer Cities 2023-24". (OP3)

Disclaimer: "The implementation of resolution 1/3, "Enhancing capacity-building for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the urban dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", following the requirements placed in the text of the resolution, is to be considered cost-neutral."

In response to resolution 1/3, a comprehensive Capacity-Building Strategy was endorsed followed by an Implementation Plan for the year 2021. These have since guided agency-wide strengthening of capacity building as a cross-cutting function. (OP1)

UN-Habitat's New Urban Agenda Illustrated, a practical handbook translated into French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese and Chinese was digitalized in the form of online self-pace courses aiming at facilitating understanding, implementation and reporting on the NUA.

The UN-Habitat Learn platform created in 2021 supports innovation for learning through the digitalization of high-impact guidance and methodologies pilot tested on the ground.

Support to regional centers of excellence, training programmes and training needs assessments, partnerships with networks of academics and professionals, as well as private-sector partners continue with a focus on low-income countries. (OP3)

Continuous guidance to strengthen capacity development as a cross-cutting organizational function is provided across the agency, including through sharing of expertise and practices, advisory services in tools and project development, digitalization and innovation.,

Gender mainstreaming remains a priority at UN-Habitat, both through the continuing day-to-day efforts to ensure that all of UN-Habitat’s work is gender-responsive and where possible, gender-transformative, as well as through specific outcomes in operational work (OP1). For instance, a Human Rights, Gender and Social Inclusion Handbook for Project Managers is to be launched internally, in the beginning of 2025 (OP2, OP5).

In line with UN-Habitat’s commitments under the UN System-wide Action Plan (UN-SWAP) on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, progress has been made towards systematically institutionalizing the UN Gender Marker on financial expenditure on gender equality and women’s empowerment, which is expected to be fully rolled out by end of 2024 and operational in Q1 of 2025 (OP2).

Partnerships with UN entities and gender equality stakeholders continue to be strengthened, with WUF as a key opportunity to engage, network and hold joint events, including the Women’s Assembly and the Women’s Roundtable, for partners come together to take stock of progress of and challenges faced in gender equality and women’s empowerment in the urban context. UN-Habitat just concluded its engagement on Beijing+30 at CSW69, which included a fully-booked side event on adequate housing for all women and girls as well as networking and adovcacy by both the Executive Director and the Gender Focal Point. In this context, UN-Habitat also prepared a publication documenting its gender impact through its country teams over the past five years (OP3).

The Women-led Cities joint programme between UNCDF and Ella Impacta Alliance is an innovative programme that combines empowerment and capacity building of women mayors and city leaders, with financial support to women working in the informal sector and upgrading of urban infrastructure and services that allow women to fully participate in the socio-economic opportunities that cities offer. Current efforts are focused on resource mobilization.

In order to scale-up efforts and boost the implementation of resolution 1/ 4, additional funding would come as a great support to amplify the impacts of the operational paragraphs.

UN-Habitat has made progress in implementing resolution 1/5, through normative work, capacity building, advocacy, technical assistance and partnerships.

Over 58 case studies from 60 countries have been published across three compendiums, in addition to diverse knowledge products and seven newsletter editions, disseminating knowledge globally. (OP1, 3, 4)

Through capacity development, over 500 stakeholders, including students, experts and government officials in Africa and Asia, have been trained on urban-rural linkages (URL). (OP3, 4)

Advocacy efforts include three International Forums on URL co-organized with partners bringing together over 600 participants and contributions to global platforms like the G20 and UN Food Systems Summit, as well as the UNCCD 16th COP meeting in Riyadh in December. (OP3, 4)

UN-Habitat has supported 13 countries in integrating URL into national/sub-national strategies, engaging with partners from up to 22 countries overall. For instance, in 2024, UN-Habitat supported the development of the ‘Grand-Bamako framework’ in Mali, integrating urban and rural development. Additional funding avenues are being explored to respond to more support requests. (OP4, 5)

Partnerships with UN agencies, international and local organizations and diverse academic institutions have strengthened collaboration, resulting in the establishment of the African Center for Urban-Rural Linkages in Africa at University of Nairobi, Kenya. (OP1, 3, 4, 5)