Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to building inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.
Delivering the country’s statement at the High-Level Political Meeting on the Review of Progress in the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in New York, Simelane said the country is intensifying efforts to tackle informal settlements, improve housing delivery and accelerate urban transformation.
Simelane said South Africa remains committed to fulfilling the global commitments adopted in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016.
The meeting, held on 16 - 17 July 2026, reviewed progress made by Member States in implementing the New Urban Agenda, which seeks to promote sustainable urban development and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Simelane said South Africa has submitted its Second National Report on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, outlining progress achieved since the country's first report, while identifying persistent challenges and priorities for accelerated action.
"The report reflects our national efforts and reaffirms South Africa's commitment to the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11," Simelane said.
The Minister highlighted several policy reforms that have strengthened South Africa's urban development agenda, including the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF), which guides the creation of inclusive and resilient cities.
“Our National Development Plan, covering 2012 to 2030, guides sustainable development, while the Integrated Urban Development Framework, adopted in 2016, has concretised policies for inclusive and resilient cities, centred on human advancements. The IUDF is further underpinned by targeted efforts to drive equitable urban transformation,” Simelane said.
She said the review of key policy instruments, including the White Paper on Local Government and the White Paper for Human Settlements, is intended to improve service delivery, accountability and government responsiveness in the face of rapid urbanisation.
Simelane also highlighted the District Development Model (DDM), introduced in 2019, as an important mechanism for improving coordination across all spheres of government to ensure integrated development that responds to community needs.
Recognising informal settlements as one of South Africa's most pressing urban challenges, the Minister said government has expanded its informal settlements upgrading programme through improved planning, stronger tenure security and accelerated upgrading interventions.
She said these efforts are aligned with commitments contained in the draft political declaration adopted during the review process, including advancing social inclusion and reducing poverty, expanding access to basic services, and accelerating the transformation of informal settlements and slums.
According to Simelane, these interventions are aimed at restoring dignity to vulnerable communities while fostering more people-centred urban spaces.
The Minister also reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to implementing the outcomes of the Africa Urban Forum, especially the mainstreaming of housing delivery as an integrated economic and social development instrument.
She stressed the importance of stronger partnerships between government, development finance institutions, communities, civil society organisations and the private sector to scale up the delivery of adequate housing.
“These priorities are particularly important, as South Africa, like many countries across our continent, continues to experience the effects of rapid urbanisation and the complex challenges associated with human mobility. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, inclusive and forward-looking approaches that ensuring that no one is left behind,” the Minister said.
She reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to international solidarity, human dignity and the rule of law, saying the country would continue working with regional and international partners to promote sustainable development, inclusive urbanisation and expanded economic opportunities.
“We will continue to work with regional and international partners to advance sustainable development, promote inclusive urbanisation, expand economic opportunities, recognising that these efforts are essential to advancing a shared vision of sustainable urban development.
“Through strengthened regional cooperation, we reaffirm our commitment to a shared, peaceful and prosperous Africa, as envisaged in 'Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want', while upholding the human rights, dignity and fundamental freedoms of all people in accordance with international law and applicable international obligations,” Simelane said. – SAnews.gov.za
