IHS and UN-Habitat have signed a renewed agreement, indicating their shared commitment to deepening collaboration in research and capacity development for sustainable urban development. This partnership aims to foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities in alignment with the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda. The signing took place at a ceremony in Nairobi involving IHS Director David Dodman and Michal Mlynár, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat.
UN-Habitat and IHS joint partnership for more than 15 years
Since 2008, UN-Habitat and IHS have been co-developing and co-implementing research and capacity development activities in the field of housing, urban management and urban environmental planning and management. IHS and UN-Habitat have collaborated on various projects, including:
- Mobilization of local beneficiaries, including women and youth and support in developing plans and programmes for the sustainable rebuilding of heritage settlements and livelihood, within the Programme “Sustainable Tourism and Green Growth for Heritage Settlements of Kathmandu Valley” (2021).
- Contribution to the achievement of the SDG Cities Global Flagship Initiative, including producing the City Development Strategy for the SDG Cities, providing ad-hoc technical advice, and supporting the Capacity Development and Training Unit on digital training with a focus on the City Development Strategy and SDG Cities (2021).
- Production and delivery of training modules and capacity development on affordable housing, effective urban governance, urban finance, local economic development, land regulations, urban management, and climate change and building resilience in cities.
UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award
IHS won the 2007 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award for “leading the way as a global center of excellence and knowledge through its high-quality training programs”. IHS is one of the pioneer institutes in capacity building and training. Through cross-fertilization of education, advisory, and research, IHS builds capacity at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels. The partnership between IHS and UN-Habitat was built based on shared goals, mutual trust, and the spirit of collaboration.
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals
The new MoU is a step forward in sustaining and strengthening the institutional partnership of IHS and UN-Habitat with the aim of contributing to the SDGs, particularly SDG11: ‘Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’. It is in keeping with IHS’s mission “to inspire and empower urban professionals and citizens to make cities work for all”, and UN Habitat’s mission “to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.”. It will inspire and reinforce both institutions to contribute to solutions toward sustainable urban development.
The updated MoU lists various joint activities under the following thematic areas:
- Urban socio-spatial development
- Urban economics and governance
- Urban sustainability and climate change resilience
- Capacity assessment, communication, and advocacy
MoU signing ceremony between UN-Habitat and IHS
Michal Mlynár, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat, and IHS Director David Dodman signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Nairobi on 15 June 2023. The MoU is a framework to foster cooperation based on UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan, Resolution 1/3 of the UN-Habitat Assembly (2019) on “Enhancing capacity-building for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the urban dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The objectives of collaboration between IHS and UN-Habitat are to:
- Enable the strategic, effective, and efficient utilization of respective resources and comparative advantages in promoting the SDGs.
- Support building the capacity of all levels of governments and other stakeholders, especially in developing countries in sustainable urban development.
“The new Memorandum of Understanding between UN-Habitat and IHS affirms the commitment from both parties to continue working together to achieve the urban dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. IHS has been an important partner to UN-Habitat for over 13 years, and we look forward to continuing to work together on capacity-building, research, advocacy and other projects and initiatives related to sustainable urban development.” - Michal Mlynár, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat
IHS General Director David Dodman shared that “UN-Habitat and IHS are both committed to creating better cities for urban residents around the world. This MoU will provide a renewed impetus for collaboration and partnerships in addressing some of the most challenging urban issues of our time.”
More about the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. It promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.
