CEB Joint Statement to the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development

Urbanization is one of the most important global trends of the 21st century. It is a transformative force that can be harnessed to enhance economic growth, productivity and development. However, today’s most common urbanization patterns are often not environmentally, socially, politically and economically sustainable.  The international community is gathering in Quito, Ecuador, in October 2016 for the Third UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) to renew its global commitment to sustainable urbanization and a “New Urban Agenda.”

As an input to the conference, UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB), in April 2016, adopted a Statement in with the Board’s members committed to promoting and supporting policies for achieving sustainable and equitable urban development in order to strengthen the contribution of urbanization to economic growth and employment creation, and pledged their collective support to Member States in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.