Tag: Economic development

‘Join forces’ for peaceful, prosperous continent, urges UN chief on Africa Industrialization Day — Global Issues

On , Sunday, the UN chief urged everyone to “join forces to build a more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous continent for all”.

On Africa Industrialization Day, Sunday, the UN chief urged everyone to “join forces to build a more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous continent for all”.

In his message commemorating the Day, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that countries across Africa are facing “a perfect storm”.

He cited armed conflicts; rising food and energy insecurity; “skyrocketing” inflation and debt; shrinking fiscal space; and mounting climate catastrophes.

Yet despite these challenges, the top UN official reminded that Africa includes some of the world’s fastest growing economies with the potential to lead in the global energy transition.

Harnessing potential

To advance inclusive, resilient, and sustainable industrial development in Africa, he explained that multilateral cooperation is needed – along with bolstered public-private partnerships.

“A new financial architecture with greater access to finance and lower cost of capital is key unlocking investments at scale”, flagged the Secretary-General.

He underscored the need to “work collectively” to boost entrepreneurship, harness the potential of new technologies, expand opportunities for youth, women and girls, build climate resilience, and foster competitiveness and trade.

Moreover, he continued, “we must also work together to realize the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

Inclusive growth

Industrial development is critical for sustained and inclusive economic growth in African countries, underscored the UN.

By introducing new equipment and new techniques, industry can enhance productivity, increase the capabilities of the workforce, and generate employment.

And with strong linkages to domestic economies, industrialization will propel African countries to achieve high growth rates, diversify their economies and reduce their exposure to external shocks – substantially contributing to poverty eradication through employment and wealth creation.

Africa-Industrialization drive

The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) drew attention to the African Union Summit on Africa’s Industrialization and Economic Diversification, which kicked off on Sunday and runs until Friday.

The Summit aims to rally political momentum, resources, partnerships and alliances towards an Africa-Industrialization drive.

This coincides with the continent’s resolve to push structural transformation by leveraging Africa’s rich and diverse natural resources, while at the same time embracing advances in technologies, continental and global geo-socio-political trends and emergence of tradable services.

“Supporting industrialization with strong linkages to domestic economies will help African countries achieve high growth rates, diversify their economies, reduce food insecurity and reduce their exposure to external shocks” the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Representative in Ghana, Angela Lusigi, said on Twitter.

Designating the day

Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa – from 1991 to 2000 – the General Assembly, proclaimed 20 November as “Africa Industrialization Day”.

Since then, the UN System has held events on that day throughout the world to raise awareness about the importance of Africa’s industrialization and the challenges faced by the continent.

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UN chief welcomes renewal of Black Sea Grain Initiative — Global Issues

More than 11.1 million tonnes of essential foodstuffs have been shipped as part of the agreement involving Türkiye, Ukraine, Russia and the United Nations, since it was signed on 22 July.

‘Deeply moved’

Speaking from Cairo, where Mr. Guterres was en route from the G20 summit in Bali to the COP 27 climate conference in Sharm el Sheikh, he said in a video tweet that he was “deeply moved” and grateful that an agreement had been reached in Istanbul.

The UN chief also expressed his deep commitment to remove the “remaining obstacles to the unimpeded exports of Russian food and fertilizers”, as these remain “essential” to avoid a food crisis next year.

‘Discreet diplomacy’

He also praised the role of Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, noting that Istanbul has become an “essential centre for discreet diplomacy to solve dramatic problems”.

He expressed deep gratitude to the Turks for their generosity and “very effective commitment”.

In a separate statement, Mr. Guterres insisted that the United Nations remained “fully committed” to supporting the initiative’s Joint Coordination Centre which oversees ship movements to and from Ukraine, “so that this vital supply line continues to function smoothly”.

© OCHA/Matteo Minasi

Yuri is a farm worker in Baranove, Odeska oblast. Since the beginning of the war in February, the entire agriculture sector in Ukraine has suffered from limited options to export produce.

Essential tool against hunger

He said both agreements signed three months ago “are essential to bring down the prices of food and fertilizer and avoid a global food crisis.      

“The Black Sea Grain Initiative continues to demonstrate the importance of discreet diplomacy in the context of finding multilateral solutions.”



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UN chief warmly welcomes Russia decision to end suspension from Ukraine grain deal — Global Issues

The UN-brokered deal which is implemented through a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in Istanbul involving Russia, Ukraine, and Türkiye, was signed in July, to allow grain, oil and other foodstuffs to leave the war-torn country for markets overseas – many of which are in desperate need of food from Europe’s “breadbasket” to stave off the threat of famine.

On Saturday, Russia said it was suspending its cooperation and would no longer guarantee the safe passage along the agreed humanitarian corridor of ships through the Black Sea, claiming that Ukraine had launched an attack on its military vessels in Crimea.

Diplomatic push

In a statement welcoming the issued by his Spokesperson, António Guterres said he was grateful for the “diplomatic efforts” of Türkiye, “and thanks the UN Coordinator, Amir Abdulla, and his team for their work to keep this vital food supply line open.”

In a tweet earlier in the morning, Mr. Abdulla said he was looking forward to “working again with all parties in the Initiative.”

The Secretary-General has been engaged in non-stop negotiations behind the scenes to get the deal back on track, which is due to expire later this month. On Monday, the UN Security Council debated Russia’s suspension, with senior UN officials stressing that it had had “positive ripple effects throughout the world”.

Relief chief Martin Griffiths and UN trade and development chief Rebeca Grynspan, said the exports from Ukraine and Russia under the deal, had helped lower grain prices, stabilized markets, and helped feed millions where hunger and rising inflation are on the rise.

© OCHA/Matteo Minasi

For Ukrainian farmers like Volodymyr Vasyliovych, the war has meant virtual inability to export their produce, with the grim prospect of their harvest spoiling in sheds, while being unable to make necessary investments due to the shrinking revenue.

Deal must be renewed

Russia and Ukraine account for roughly 30 per cent of all wheat and barley exports, a fifth of its maize, and more than half of all sunflower oil.

Mr. Griffiths said that under the Initiative it was clear that all Member States needed to implement terms agreed, to ensure Russian food and fertilizer exports can also reach global markets.

In his statement, the UN chief said he would continue “his engagement with all actors towards the renewal and full implementation of the Initiative, and he also remains committed to removing the remaining obstacles to the exports of Russian food and fertilizer.”

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Global jobs market set to deteriorate amid Ukraine war shocks: ILO — Global Issues

Estimates from ILO for the third quarter of 2022, indicate that the level of hours worked was 1.5 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, amounting to a deficit of 40 million full-time jobs.

Inflation up, wages down

The 10th edition of the Monitor on the World of Work confirms that rising inflation is causing real wages to fall in many countries.

This comes on top of significant declines in income during the COVID-19 crisis, which affected low-income groups most in many countries. The report finds that labour market inequalities are likely to increase, contributing to a continued divergence between developed and developing economies.

According to the Monitor, a set of multiple and overlapping crises, compounded by the Ukraine war and subsequent negative spill-over effects, have materialized over 2022 which have impacted the world of work deeply.

Food and energy in flux

The effects are being felt through food and energy inflation, declining real wages, growing inequality, shrinking policy options and higher debt in developing countries.

A slowdown in economic growth and aggregate demand will also reduce demand for workers as uncertainty and worsening expectations affect hiring.

The Monitor finds that worsening labour market conditions are affecting both employment creation and the quality of jobs, pointing out that there is already data that suggests a sharp labour market slowdown.

At the beginning of 2022, the number of global hours worked was recovering strongly, notably in higher-skilled occupations and among women.

However, this trend was driven by an increase in informal jobs, jeopardizing 15 years of progress trend towards formalization.

Solidarity, to end war

ILO says that a strong commitment is needed to initiatives such as the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection; its objective is to create 400 million jobs and extend support to the four billion people who have nothing to fall back on should they fall sick or get hurt at work.

A rapid end to the conflict in Ukraine, as demanded in the resolutions of the ILO Governing Body, would further contribute to improving the global employment situation, the UN agency noted.

“Tackling this deeply worrying global employment situation, and preventing a significant global labour market downturn, will require comprehensive, integrated and balanced policies both nationally and globally,” said ILO Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo.

“We need the implementation of a broad set of policy tools, including interventions in the prices of public goods; the rechannelling of windfall profits; strengthening income security through social protection; increasing income support; and targeted measures to assist the most vulnerable people and enterprises.”

© UNICEF/Alessio Romenzi

A 13-year-old boy works in a mechanic’s shop in Syria.

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UN-led Grain Initiative helps anchor food supply, chart way out of crisis — Global Issues

And with the deadline looming, it also underlines why it’s critical to renew the initiative next month, said UNCTAD.

Thanks to the initiative agreed in July by Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye, and led by UN chief António Guterres, port activity in Ukraine is picking up, and large shipments of grain are reaching world markets. The deal also involves increasing the flow of crucial fertilizers from Russia.

UN Photo/Mark Garten

In Istanbul, UN Secretary-General António Guterres observes the WFP ship SSI Invincible 2, headed to Ukraine to pick up the largest cargo of grain yet exported under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Reaching tables of the needy

As of 19 October, the total tonnage of grain and other foodstuffs exported through the initiative had reached almost 8 million metric tons.

“The UN-led Initiative has helped to stabilize and subsequently lower global food prices and move precious grain from one of the world’s breadbaskets to the tables of those in need,” the report says.

The Food Price Index published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows prices of global food staples have declined in recent months – by about 8.6 per cent in July, nearly two per cent in August and 1.1 per cent in September.

But with the initiative ending in November and its renewal uncertain, the prices of some commodities, such as wheat and maize, are rising again, the report warns.

Without the initiative, there is little hope for providing food security, especially in developing and least developed countries, UNCTAD states.

With the Russian invasion, valuable grain corridors were closed off. Weekly ship departures from Ukrainian ports plummeted.

Grain flows again

The initiative reopened the grain gates of Ukraine to the world, and particularly to developing countries.

Maize and wheat account for more than 70 per cent of the nearly eight million tons of grain that have left Ukrainian ports so far.

Nearly 20 per cent of the wheat exports have gone to least developed countries (LDCs) with vulnerable populations.

The initiative doubled the amount of wheat shipped to LDCs between August and September – about half a million tons.

But wheat exports to LDCs between January and September this year, totalled less than 1 million tons. This implies an export gap of 1.2 million tons with respect to 2021. More needs to be done to match previous levels of exports.

Pushing down prices

The initiative has helped to make grain more available and eased pressure on food prices. This has in turn helped to improve global access to food, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable, the report indicates.

The prospect of the initiative and the reopening of the Black Sea ports helped to push down historically high market prices.

But prices are rising again: “In a context where trade is very uncertain, signals matter very much,” UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said. “When there is no clarity, no one knows what is going to happen, and speculation and hoarding take over.”

Historical highs persist

Wheat and maize prices are still at historically high levels. This weighs on the affordability of basic foods and poses a risk to food security globally.

This is one more reason why the renewal of the UN-led initiative is important for developing countries.

The report was produced with contributions from the Joint Coordination Centre for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, comprised of senior representatives from Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Türkiye and the UN, which ensures the safe maritime transportation of grain and other foodstuffs from the three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea to the rest of the world.

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A new, financially independent life for former child brides in Mozambique — Global Issues

Teresa Gala is a 44-year-old mother of five. She was married at 14, and had to leave school because of her new circumstances. For more than three decades, her days were filled with domestic chores and taking care of her children. During the agricultural season, Ms. Gala added to her daily routine by working on her family farm.

However, her thoughts always remained focused on having her own business, one that would give her financial independence.

“Since I didn’t study and didn’t have my livelihood, I always had to ask my husband for money, “says Ms. Gala. “Being aware that he didn’t earn much, sometimes I asked almost nothing, but I still heard ‘no’ many times. It was very humiliating”.

Three decades ago, when she got married, there was almost no debate about child marriage in the country, but things are changing for the better. Since 2019, the Spotlight Initiative, a global initiative of the United Nations funded by the European Union, has been supporting the approval and implementation of Mozambican laws that protect women and girls from gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as early marriages.

A safe space to thrive

In 2021, life improved for Ms. Gala, when she joined the Tambara Women’s Association (ASMTA) in Manica province, an organization backed by the Spotlight Initiative. These associations and women’s groups create support networks where women can learn and grow together economically, and create trusting relationships and safe spaces to address issues related to gender-based violence and women’s rights. In Mozambique, over the past year, the Spotlight Initiative supported more than 9,000 women in this way.

Through the group, Ms. Gala had access to a “business kit” which included the initial funds for her to start a company selling yogurt made from Malambe (baobab tree fruit) and Maheu (a fermented corn drink).

In the Tambara district, where Ms. Gala lives, temperatures easily reach over 40 degrees Celsius but, by investing her first profits in a freezer, she was able to make Maheu and Malembe ice cream, which was an immediate hit with her customers.

With more money coming in, Ms. Gala was able to buy a cell phone, enabling her to communicate with clients and social contacts, and join the national mobile financial system.

With proceeds from her micro-enterprise, she now contributes to the household expenses and pays the university fees for one of her daughters, who is studying for a health degree.

“My business makes me feel more respected at home. Today I am a financially stable woman, with savings, who contributes to household expenses and the education of my children”, she says. “I no longer have to wait for my husband to meet my financial needs”.

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Business leaders deliver bold solutions to unlock long-term investment in SDGs — Global Issues

The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, is focused on supporting developing countries on the road to meeting the SDGs, and it took place at UN Headquarters in New York amid a worsening global economic outlook brought on by war in Ukraine, climate change, and COVID-19 – all of which is threatening long-term investment, said a press release issued by GISD.

‘No time to waste’

“The large and persistent SDG financing gap must spur our collective effort to scale up private finance and investment for the SDGs. There is no time to waste. We cannot afford for the SDGs to fall out of reach,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The GISD Alliance — convened by the Secretary-General in 2019 — consists of prominent business leaders from across the world, including the heads of Standard Chartered, Pimco, Citibank and Investec.

Finance boost

It seeks to align, scale up, and accelerate finance and investment for the 17 Goals. The GISD Alliance is led by co-Chairs Leila Fourie, Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and José Viñals, Group Chairman of Standard Chartered.

“In the past year, building on pivotal work done in the preceding years, the GISD Alliance has focused on setting conditions for the scaling up of long-term private finance for sustainable development investment (SDI),” said Ms. Fourie.

“This was accomplished through the development of a credible definition for SDI, SDG-aligned metrics, a Model Mandate to assist in developing SDI strategies, making input into the development of a set of global sustainability reporting standards, and a roadmap for necessary MDB reforms.”

New initiatives

Mr. Viñals said that during the next 12 months, the Alliance would “continue to scale up these efforts and embark on new initiatives, launching a transformational blended finance platform that will allow for co-investment in sustainable infrastructure projects.

“We will also continue our engagement with global stakeholders to advance the reforms necessary to unlock finance and investment for sustainable development in support of the SDGs.”

To facilitate the flow of investments to developing countries, the Alliance is advocating for more effective private capital mobilization by multilateral development banks and the overall international development system.

GISD Members have made recommendations on changes to governance and business models of development banks and improved finance structures.

New standards

Since its launch, the Alliance has developed standards and tools to align investment portfolios with the SDGs, including a unified definition of Sustainable Development Investing (SDI) and SDG-aligned, sector-specific metrics that strengthen reporting and enable a credible comparison of SDG performance within and between different industries.

GISD highlighted the case of Aware Super, a pension fund based in Australia with  AU$150 billion in assets, which has now incorporated the SDI definition as part of its investment due diligence.

Most recently, in collaboration with the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), the Alliance launched the Model Mandate, which provides guidance on the contractual relationships between asset owners and asset managers, with a focus on encouraging long-term investments that are aligned with the SDGs.

Co-invest for the future

The GISD Alliance has also submitted a collective response to the public consultation of the International Sustainability Standards Board, established at COP26, to develop a comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures for capital markets.

In addition, the GISD Alliance is moving towards launching the Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Platform (SIIP) which will allow multiple multilateral development banks and institutional investors, to co-invest in SDG-aligned infrastructure and scale investments up in emerging markets.

The UN chief convened the Alliance to find solutions to mobilize investment in the SDGs as part of the implementation of his Strategy for Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Members control assets worth $16 trillion.

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Is it possible to be a ‘sustainable tourist’? 12 ways to make a positive impact on your travels — Global Issues

There are many positive aspects to tourism. Around two billion people travel each year for tourism purposes. Travel and tourism connect people and bring the world closer through shared experiences, cultural awareness and community building. It provides jobs, spurs regional development, and is a key driver for socio-economic progress.

However, there is often a downside; Mmany popular destinations are threatened by increasing pollution, environmental hazards, damage to heritage sites and overuse of resources. And that’s without factoring the pollution caused by travel to and from these destinations.

So, with that in mind here are some tips that will help you to enjoy your trip, and leave with the confidence that your favoured tourist destination will not be damaged by your presence, once you return home.

1. Ditch single-use plastics

Often used for less than 15 minutes, single-use plastic items can take more than 1,000 years to degrade. Many of us are switching to sustainable options in our daily lives, and we can take the same attitude when we’re on the road. By choosing reusable bottles and bags wherever you go, you can help ensure there is less plastic waste in the ocean and other habitats.

2. Be ‘water wise’

On the whole, tourists use far more water than local residents. With a growing number of places experiencing water scarcity, the choices you make can help ensure people have adequate access to water in the future. By foregoing a daily change of sheets and towels during hotel stays, we can save millions of litres of water each year.

3. Buy local

When you buy local, you help boost the local economy, benefit local communities, and help to reduce the destination’s carbon footprint from transporting the goods. This is also true at mealtimes, so enjoy fresh, locally grown produce every chance you get.

4. Use an ethical operator

Tour operations involve people, logistics, vendors, transportation and much more. Each link in the chain can impact the environment – positively or negatively. If you prefer to leave the planning to someone else, be sure to pick an operator that prioritizes the environment, uses resources efficiently and respects local culture.

Tourism broadens our horizons…

5. ‘Please don’t feed the animals’

Sharing food with wildlife or getting close enough to do so increases the chances of spreading diseases like cold, flu and pneumonia from humans to animals. Also, when animals get used to receiving food from humans, their natural behaviours are altered, and they become dependent on people for survival. In some cases, it can also lead to human-animal conflict.

6. And don’t eat them either!

By creating the demand, consuming endangered or exotic animals leads to an increase in poaching, trafficking and exploitation of animals. Besides the harm done to the individual animal on your plate, irresponsible dining can contribute to the extinction of species already threatened by climate change and habitat loss. Keep this in mind when shopping for souvenirs as well, and steer clear of products made from endangered wildlife.

7. Share a ride

Transportation is a major contributor to the carbon footprint from tourism. Instead of private taxis, explore using public transportation like trains, buses and shared cabs. You can also ride a bicycle, which offers a convenient and cheaper way to explore and learn about a place.

8. Consider a homestay

Staying with a local resident or family is a nature-friendly option that allows you to get up close and personal with local culture and customs. Staying at local homestays can uplift communities by providing income while giving you a peek into different ways of life.

Dig into the local cuisine. You’ll delight your taste buds and support the local economy…

9. Do your homework

Before your travel, educate yourself about your destination. Doing so will allow you to better immerse yourself in local traditions and practices and appreciate things that might have gone unnoticed otherwise. With the right information, you can explore a destination in a more sensitive manner and surprise yourself with new adventures and discoveries.

10. Visit national parks and sanctuaries

Exploring nature and wildlife through national parks is an intimate way to learn about the animals and their ecosystems first hand. In some cases, your entrance fee supports conservation efforts that protect species and landscapes and preserve these natural spaces for future visitors to enjoy.

11. Don’t leave a trace

You can make a mark by not leaving a mark on your vacation destination. Put garbage in its place to avoid litter, and don’t remove or alter anything without permission. Let’s make sure we leave only soft footprints, and not the environmental kind.

12. Tell your friends

Now that you’re ready to travel in eco-friendly style, it’s time spread the word! Inform fellow travellers, friends and family about how sustainable tourism benefits local people by enhancing their livelihoods and well-being, and helps all of us by safeguarding our beautiful environment.

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World Cotton Day focuses on the fibre’s role in weaving socio-economic development — Global Issues

An estimated 100 million family farmers across 80 countries directly depend on the cotton industry, in which women play a key role.

Cotton supports the economies of many low-income and emerging countries.

Last year it contributed about $50 billion to their economic support – and $20 billion in global trade, according to FAO.

Moreover, it plays a significant role in social and economic development, international trade, and poverty alleviation, and it contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Culturally important

The cultural importance of cotton with its roots at the heart of human civilization, was recognized by the General Assembly in August 2021, when it proclaimed 7 October of each year as World Cotton Day.

It is the most important of the natural fibres, used daily in clothing and home furnishings, and represents an important source of export revenues for some of the poorest countries in the world.

Challenges abound

The day accentuates the need for a sustainable cotton sector that enhances production, nutrition, environment, and life, leaving no one behind.

However, market price volatility, climate change, pests, diseases, COVID, and the global economic slowdown are among the issues currently challenging the sector.

Furthermore, cotton faces a number of uncertainties on both the production and demand sides that need to be properly addressed if the sector is to realize its full potential in supporting economic growth and sustainable development.

Greater investments are needed to expand the sector beyond raw cotton production and create new income opportunities, especially for farmers, by adding more value to cotton fibre and developing by-products from other parts of the cotton plant.

© FAO/Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak

Cotton production contributes significantly to Mali’s economy despite often challenging trading conditions.

Wonders of cotton

  • Cotton provides employment and income for millions of smallholders, workers and their families.

  • It represents an important source of foreign exchange earnings for low-income countries,

  • And offers a way to address wider development concerns to empower women and boost youth employment.

Stepping up

UN agencies have worked towards the mission to optimize production and improve local processing capacities, as well as discuss the reforms needed to address high trade barriers and inequalities for cotton producers in developing countries.These efforts date back to 2003 through the Cotton Initiative.

And FAO has long offered developing countries technical and policy support for boosting productivity and creating more opportunities in the cotton value chain.

Boubaker Ben Belhassen, Director of FAO Markets and Trade Division reminded that the objective of the global celebration is to “draw attention to the hundreds of millions of people around the world who earn their livelihoods through the cotton value chain,” and stress the sector’s contribution to development.

Growing the fibre

  • Innovative technologies and resources are vital to ensure that the sector remains viable and sustainable.

  • Investments are needed to expand the sector and create new income opportunities by developing by-products from other parts of the cotton plant.

  • An open, fair, predictable, and transparent international cotton trading system is key to supporting hundreds of millions of vulnerable people.

  • Domestic support measures are critical to prevent trade and other market distortions from hampering trade liberalization benefits.

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More action and investment needed in cities to end ‘cascade of challenges’ — Global Issues

Secretary-General António Guterres declared that “from climate chaos and conflicts to COVID-19”, the most vulnerable were being hit the hardest.

Amplifying this year’s theme, Mind the Gap. Leave No One and No Place Behind, spotlighting widening inequalities in living conditions across the world, he said that rapid and unplanned development of towns and cities, was making conditions worse.

“We need more urgent action and greater investment to provide affordable housing to all – alongside access to electricity, water, sanitation, transport, and other basic services. To leave no one behind is the core pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs), he added.

Cities that work

“This means making cities work for women and children and closing existing gaps: between the haves and the have-nots; within and between urban and rural areas; and within and between developed and developing regions.”

He said taking local action was key, and innovative solutions were important to pursue people centred policies, promoting sustainable patterns of consumption.

Inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements are crucial.

Action on the ground: UN-Habitat’s Sharif

Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of the UN’s urban settlements agency UN-Habitat, is a speech in Istanbul ahead of the day, said that to be sustainable, towns and cities need to be well integrated, well-planned, and transformed into inclusive, creative and innovative places.

“We can do this if we ensure policies are translated into practice and action on the ground.”

Tackling urban poverty and inequality has become a global priority, amidst the compounding crises, with cities and local governments playing a key role in responding.

“We want to support governments and cities in addressing growing urban problems”, she said.

Urban October

World Habitat Day also sees the start of UN-Habitat’s Urban October month – 31 days to promote a sustainable urban future. 

Last year, UN-Habitat and partners held more than 300 different events on urban topics throughout the world. More than 10,000 people participated in key events throughout the month.

“On World Habitat Day, let us pledge to live up to our shared responsibility to one another”, said Ms. Sharif.

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