AU-UNECA-UN-Habitat Jointly Organized Side Event on the Theme “Implementing the New Urban Agenda in Africa: Policy and Implementation Priorities” on the Margins of the 9th Edition of the World Urban Forum

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February 12, 2018

Kuala Malaysia 9 February 2017: THE African Union Commission (AUC) , the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the UN-HABITAT jointly organized a side event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the theme: ‘Implementing the New Urban Agenda in Africa: Policy and Implementation Priorities’. This event is a follow-up of African Union (AU) Executive Council Decision EX.CL/Dec.933(XXIX) regarding the Common African Position on the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) as well as the decision of the second Ordinary Session of the AU Specialized Technical Committee (AU-STC 8) on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralization.

The Side event was attended by many African Ministers in charge of Housing and Urban development under the chairmanship of Hon. Habofanoe Lehana, Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Chair of AU-STC8 Sub Committee on Housing and Urban development.

The Chairperson of AU-STC8 Housing and Human Settlements sub-committee (HUD) has firstly raised awareness on the challenges posed by the high rate of unplanned urbanization in the African continent, before stated that HUD Sub-Committee under STC 8 was established to provide a coordinated framework of addressing these pressing urbanization challenges in Africa.

He then remained optimistic that the AU proposed framework will provide guidance for Africa-Union Member states in the implementation and reporting on the New Urban Agenda in Africa.

The objective of the Kuala Lumpur side event is firstly to present to AU member states present the draft of the harmonized regional framework for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Africa and provide an exchange platform to strengthen institutional arrangements and Member States for the implementation, monitoring and reporting on the New Urban Agenda, based on continental and regional priorities.

In her welcome remarks HE. Mrs Minata Samate Cessouma, stated that Africa is a pioneer in the process of ensuring domestication of the New Urban Agenda in the continent through the of the draft harmonized regional framework for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Africa. She then highlighted the first pillar of Agenda 2063 which envisions cities and other institutions as centers of cultural and economic activities before emphasizing on the following:

- Human settlements require modern infrastructure and provision of basic services. If managed well, cities have a huge potential to propel our continent towards greater industrialization and economic development.

- Exploiting the developmental potential of cities requires strong local authorities and institutions that are very close to the populations.

In her conclusion, HE. Mrs Minata Samate Cessouma, reiterate African union Commission to commitment for the finalization and adoption by the policy organs of the continental framework on the implementation of the NUA.

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