Highlights and images for 5 June 2023

The host of the Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly (UNHA2), Kenyan President William Ruto, set the day’s tone, which was dedicated to examining the link between sustainable urbanization and the triple planetary crisis on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. High-level opening statements stressed the role of UN-Habitat in driving a multilateral agenda to achieve the New Urban Agenda as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Taking up this agenda in further detail, the first of three High-level Sessions focused on Climate Change and Migration Crises in Urban Areas.

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Assembly President Román Meyer Falcón (Mexico) called for innovative and bold collective efforts in developing approaches to provide better opportunities and human settlements for all.

In a video address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the COVID-19 pandemic left more than half of the world behind in achieving the 2030 Agenda and to reverse this trend in time "we must fight for the future we want." Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua said that UNHA2 discussions should facilitate the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) review of SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and pave the way for the September 2023 SDG Summit to make the breakthroughs needed to deliver on the 2030 Agenda.

Also in a video address, UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi (Hungary) said cities are the epicenter of the planetary crises and urged for new, bold and innovative commitments based on scientific inputs.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, UN-Habitat, underscored that aspirations to keep global warming to 1.5°C can only be achieved if sustainable urbanization is prioritized.

Slumber Tsogwane, Vice President, Botswana, acknowledged UN-Habitat’s role in advancing sustainable urbanism for inclusive, connected, and prosperous communities. President Ruto outlined Kenya’s flagship initiative to deliver affordable and sustainable housing by 2030. He urged the Assembly to strengthen UN-Habitat’s capacity to lead a multilateral agenda for inclusive, safe, sustainable, and resilient human settlements. President Ruto then declared the Assembly officially open.

The Special Session on Climate Change and Migration in Urban Areas acknowledged that such crises compound in cities and human settlements, cautioning that poor planning can exacerbate vulnerability. The Session stressed the need for inclusive and effective multilateralism, sustainable urban planning and working with vulnerable communities to create resilient, equitable, and prosperous cities.

During the afternoon’s work in plenary, delegates adopted the agenda, approved the reports by the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the Executive Board, and created a Committee of the Whole (COW) and a drafting committee to discuss several agenda items in greater detail and to vet the numerous resolutions proposed for the Assembly’s adoption. The plenary also started hearing statements by regional groups and Member States, which will continue on Tuesday.