Countries will take stock of progress and share experiences on sustainable urban development when they gather for the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) on Thursday and Friday.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, who is representing South Africa, will participate in the meeting, held under the theme: “Delivering Sustainable Urbanisation for all: Accelerating and Scaling Implementation of the New Urban Agenda to 2036 Together.”
The meeting will assess progress, achievements, gaps and emerging challenges in implementing the New Urban Agenda, adopted in 2016.
The conference will also identify and promote priority accelerators, policy innovations, and systemic shifts to advance adequate housing and sustainable urbanisation up to 2036.
It will showcase effective practices, scalable solutions, and innovative partnerships, including financing mechanisms, to address gaps and support countries differently to ensure no one is left behind.
The meeting will further seek to enhance international cooperation and multilateral engagement to advance sustainable urban development.
The NUA set out a vision for sustainable urbanisation as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable development, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other global agendas.
The department said Simelane will use her participation to underscore South Africa’s position on inclusive development and people-centred urban development to accelerate the implementation of the NUA, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.
“These imperatives are aligned to the department’s imperatives relating to informal settlements transformation and integrated human settlements development, the provision of adequate housing and climate resilience,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.
The High-Level Meeting is expected to adopt a concise and action-oriented political declaration to renew commitment and accelerate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
SA, Libya explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation
Meanwhile, Simelane has held a meeting with Libya's Minister of Housing and Construction, Eng. Essam Al-Tamouni to reaffirm the longstanding relations between South Africa and Libya and explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
The Ministers discussed collaboration in affordable housing, integrated human settlements, informal settlement upgrading, innovative building technologies, spatial planning, urban development and housing finance models.
They also agreed to strengthen technical cooperation through a bilateral framework that will support knowledge sharing and advance sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities.
“The engagement reflects a shared commitment to advancing Agenda 2063 and strengthening intra-African cooperation for the benefit of the continent's people,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
