URI Africa supports the urban development movement by signing an agreement with United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and becoming an associate partner of World Urban Campaign, a platform for public, private and civil society actors to elevate policies, share practical tools, and raise awareness for sustainable urbanization.
The agreement was signed on July 22, 2013 at the UN-Habitat headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya by Dr. Joan Clos, Undersecretary -General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, and Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Regional Director of URI Africa and Representative of URI at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
At the signing ceremony, Dr. Joan Clos recognized the value of the commitment of URI Africa to urban development. By joining UN-Habitat as an associate partner of the World Urban Campaign, URI Africa will promote the World Urban Campaign principles to achieve sustainable cities and urban communities worldwide, as well as to advance a positive vision of urban development, placing cities at the center of strategies for change. Further, URI Africa aims to disseminate the key messages of the World Urban Campaign and participate in local, national, and international events in support of the World Urban Campaign.
On behalf of URI Africa member organizations, Ambassador Mussie Hailu acknowledged the outstanding work of UN-Habitat:
“URI Africa agrees with UN-Habitat that how we plan, build, and manage our cities today will determine our future. Harnessing the city as an asset requires the commitment of all as city changers and innovators for a better urban future. It is with this in mind that URI Africa decides to join hands with the UN-Habitat campaign under the slogan ‘I am a City Changer’ and commit to take action and change cities for a better urban world.”
