The Commission on Human Settlements 16th session was held at the headquarters of the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), Nairobi, from 28 April to 7 May
1997.
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Contents
I. Introduction
II. Organization of the session
III. Provisional agenda and other arrangement for the 17th session of
the Commission
IV. Closure of the session
Annexes
I. Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission at its 16th
session
A. Resolutions
16/1 Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000
16/2 Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II) and the future role of the Commission on Human Settlements
16/3 Disaster mitigation
16/4 Countries with economies in transition
16/5 Regional Training Centre in Amman for Arab States
16/6 Women in human settlements development
16/7 The realization of the human right to adequate housing
16/8 Revitalization of the Habitat Centre
16/9 An Urbanizing World: Global Report on Human Settlements 1996
16/10 Resolution in recognition of the secretariat of the second United
Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), the host country and the host city
16/11 Contributions of youth to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda
16/12 Review of the working methods of the Commission on Human
Settlements: the involvement of partners
16/13 International cooperation for sustainable human settlements
development
16/14 Upgrading the Regional Information Office in Amman to a Regional
Centre for Arab States to enhance the presence of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) in the Arab States region
16/15 Contribution of the private and non-governmental sectors to
shelter: shelter delivery to low-income groups
16/16 Management of natural resources in the context of sustainable
human settlements
16/17 The rights of the child, particularly with respect to shelter and
related services
16/18 Illegal Israeli human settlements in the occupied Palestinian
territory
16/19 Corrective measures in administrative and budgetary matters
16/20 Cooperation between the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme
16/21 Cooperation and coordination matters
16/22 Cooperation in the eradication of poverty
16/23 Global Parliamentarians on Habitat
16/24 Special session of the General Assembly for the purpose of an
overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21
16/25 Establishment of an office of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements in the Asia and Pacific region
B. Decisions
16/26 Fifth report of the Commission on Human Settlements to the General
Assembly on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000
16/27 Medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001
16/28 Draft work programme of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) for the biennium 1998-1999
16/29 Budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlement
Foundation for the biennium 1998-1999
16/30 Coordination matters
16/31 Themes for the seventeenth session of the Commission on Human
Settlements
II. List of documents before the Commission
III. Summary of statements
A. Address by Mr. Wally D'Dow, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Centre for
Human Settlements
B. Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Executive Director, United Nations Environment
Programme
C. Statement by H.E. Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya
D. Statement by H.E. Ernesto Samper Pizano, President of the Republic of Colombia
IV. Message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations to
the Commission on Human Settlements at its 16th session

I. Introduction
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1. The Commission on Human Settlements was established pursuant to General Assembly
resolution 32/162 of 19 December 1977.
2. The report of the Commission on the work of its sixteenth session is submitted to
the General Assembly in accordance with section II, paragraph 6, of resolution 32/162.
3. The Commission consists of 58 members, each elected for a four-year term: 16 from
African States, 13 from Asian States, 6 from Eastern European States, 10 from Latin
American and Caribbean States and 13 from Western European and other States. At present,
the Commission is composed of the following members:
Algeria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon,
Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of
Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Namibia,
Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea,
Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda,
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States
of America, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
4. The sixteenth session of the Commission on Human Settlements was held at the
headquarters of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), Nairobi, from
28 April to 7 May 1997.

II. Organization of the session
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A. Opening of the session
5. The session was opened by Mr. Boris G. Maiorski, Chairman of the Commission at its
fifteenth session.
6. The Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat), delivered a message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations marking
the occasion; the text is reproduced in annex IV. The Assistant Secretary-General, United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), also made a statement on the state of
human settlements; a summary appears in annex III. A statement was made by the Executive
Director of the United Nations Environment Programme; a summary appears in annex III.
7. The President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, addressed
and inaugurated the session. A summary of his statement is given in annex III.
B. Attendance
8. The following States members of the Commission were represented:
Algeria Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Benin Brazil Cameroon Chile China Colombia
Czech Republic Denmark Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Germany India Indonesia Iran
(Islamic Republic of) Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakstan Kenya Malawi Mexico Namibia
Netherlands Nigeria Norway Pakistan Philippines Poland Republic of Korea Romania Russian
Federation Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sweden Tunisia Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of America Venezuela Zambia
Zimbabwe
9. The following States not members of the Commission participated as observers:
Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Belize Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Chad Cuba
Cyprus Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ghana Greece Guinea Iraq Israel Kuwait
Lesotho Madagascar Malaysia Mali Mauritania Morocco Mozambique Papua New Guinea Portugal
Saudi Arabia Senegal Sierra Leone Slovak Republic South Africa Suriname Swaziland
Switzerland Thailand Togo United Republic of Tanzania Yemen
10. The Holy See was represented by an observer.
11. The observer for Palestine also participated.
12. The following United Nations bodies were represented:
United Nations Centre for Human Rights United Nations Development Programme Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Economic Commission for Africa Economic
Commission for Europe United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Population Fund
United Nations Children's Fund United Nations Development Fund for Women
13. The following specialized agency was represented:
International Labour Organization
14. The following intergovernmental organizations were represented:
African Housing Fund European Union League of Arab States Shelter-Afrique
15. Representatives of one national, five regional and four international associations
of local authorities attended the meeting. Seven local authorities were also represented.
16. In addition, 125 non-governmental organizations were represented.
17. Twelve private-sector organizations were represented.
18. Global Parliamentarians on Habitat was also represented.
C. Visit of the President of Colombia
19. The President of Colombia, H.E. Ernesto Samper Pizano, addressed the Commission on
5 May 1997. A summary of his statement is provided in annex III.
D. Election of officers
20. At the 1st plenary meeting, on 28 April 1997, Mr. M. Afsarul Qader, Permanent
Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat),
was elected Chairman.
21. At the 1st plenary meeting, the following other officers of the Bureau were
elected:
Vice Chairpersons: Mr. Leandro Arellano (Mexico) Mr. Svein Mehli (Norway) Mr. Jonathan
K. Ng'eno (Kenya)
Rapporteur: Mr. Pavel Suian (Romania)
E. Credentials
22. Pursuant to rule 11, paragraph 2, of the rules of procedure of the Commission, the
Bureau reported to the Commission at its 9th plenary meeting, on 7 May 1997, that it had
examined the credentials submitted by delegations attending the sixteenth session of the
Commission and had found them to be in order. The Commission approved the report of the
Bureau on credentials at the same meeting.
F. Adoption of the agenda
[ Up ]
23. At its 1st plenary meeting, on 28 April 1997, the Commission adopted the
provisional agenda for the sixteenth session, as contained in document HS/C/16/1, as
follows:
1. Election of officers.
2. Credentials.
3. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
4. Activities of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat): progress
report of the Executive Director.
5. Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000.
6. Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II).
7. Special themes:
(a) Contribution of the private and non-governmental sectors to shelter delivery to
low-income groups;
(b) Management of natural resources in the context of sustainable human settlements.
8. The rights of the child, particularly with respect to shelter and related services.
9. Medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001.
10. Work programme of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) for the
biennium 1998-1999.
11. Proposed budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation for
the biennium 1998-1999.
12. Coordination matters:
(a) Cooperation between the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and
the United Nations Environment Programme;
(b) Cooperation with agencies and organizations within the United Nations system,
intergovernmental organizations outside the United Nations system and non-governmental
organizations;
(c) Matters arising out of the resolutions of major legislative organs of the United
Nations and other intergovernmental bodies which are brought to the attention of the
Commission.
13. Themes for the seventeenth and future sessions of the Commission.
14. Other matters.
15. Provisional agenda and other arrangements for the seventeenth session of the
Commission.
16. Adoption of the report of the session.
17. Closure of the session.
G. Organization of work
24. At its 2nd plenary meeting, on 28 April 1997, the Commission established two
sessional committees of the whole and allocated agenda items to them as follows:
Committee I: Agenda items 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13
Committee II: Agenda items 4, 5, 6, 7(a), 7(b) and 8
25. Committee I held 9 meetings from 30 April to 6 May 1997 and Committee II held 8
meetings from 28 April to 6 May 1997. The recommendations of both committees have been
incorporated in the present report.
H. Adoption of the report of the Commission
26. The present report was adopted by the Commission at its 9th plenary meeting, on 7
May 1997.

III. Provisional agenda and other arrangements for the 17th session
of the Commission
[ Up ]
27. At its 9th plenary meeting, on 7 May 1997, the Commission decided that its
seventeenth session would be held from 5 to 14 May 1999 at Nairobi. At the same meeting,
the Commission decided to adopt the following provisional agenda for its seventeenth
session:
1. Election of officers.
2. Credentials.
3. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
4. Activities of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat): progress
report of the Executive Director.
5. Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II).
6. Follow-up to the special session of the General Assembly for the purpose of an
overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21.
7. Special themes:
(a) Local implementation of the Habitat Agenda, with particular attention to local
Agenda 21s;
(b) International cooperation for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda.
8. Cooperation with partners.
9. Work programme of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) for the
biennium 2000-2001.
10. Proposed budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation for
the biennium 2000-2001.
11. Coordination matters:
(a) Cooperation between the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and
the United Nations Environment Programme;
(b) Cooperation with agencies and organizations within the United Nations system,
intergovernmental organizations outside the United Nations system and non-governmental
organizations;
(c) Matters arising out of the resolutions of major legislative organs of the United
Nations and other intergovernmental bodies which are brought to the attention of the
Commission.
12. Themes for the eighteenth and future sessions of the Commission.
13. Other matters.
14. Provisional agenda and other arrangements for the eighteenth session of the
Commission.
15. Adoption of the report of the session.
16. Closure of the session.

IV. Closure of the session
[ Up ]
28. In his closing remarks, the Assistant Secretary-General reflected on the
achievements of the session, which had been marked by an open dialogue and a search for
constructive answers to build a solid foundation on which to pursue the implementation of
the Habitat Agenda in a coordinated manner. This session was the beginning of a new era in
human settlements activities and therefore a pivotal moment in the institutional history
of both the Commission and the Centre. He went on to recall the achievements of the
session, highlighting here the reaffirmation of the commitments made to carry through the
outcome of the Habitat II Conference and the reaffirmation of the guiding role of the
Commission in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. He further cited as achievements
the review of the programme of work of the Commission to focus it on the Habitat Agenda in
a strategic manner, as well as the decisive steps taken by the Commission aimed at
strengthening the Centre and putting it on a sound institutional and financial footing,
ready to face its post-Habitat II responsibilities, and underscored his commitment, and
that of all the staff of the Centre, to implement decisions taken in that regard.
29. He then noted the continuation of the dialogue with local authorities and other
partners in civil society at the current session, pointing out that work still remained to
be done in that regard, but expressing also his hope that with sufficient good will
progress would be made, for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda required the
cooperation of partners. He stressed the fact that the implementation could not be done in
isolation, it required the help of others outside national Governments, including local
authorities, non-governmental organizations, the business community, youth, women's
organizations. He went on to point out to the Commission that in implementing the Habitat
Agenda, innovations would be continually required and that the Commission would have to
play a central role in that undertaking, as well as that of institutional guardian of the
spirit of Istanbul.
30. He noted in addition that, although not all the issues before the session had been
resolved, a new beginning had been made for the Centre, as demonstrated by the
revitalization process for the Centre which had been decided on at the current session. He
again underscored his determination to implement the revitalization process under the
guidance of the Commission. He further noted that, over the past two and a half years, the
work of the Centre had been that of fulfilling the Commission's mandate, which the Centre
had sought to fulfil at Istanbul and that its achievement was one which all could be
proud.
31. He closed his remarks by pledging the full support of the Centre to the ongoing
United Nations reform process, a sentiment he was sure the Commission shared. The
challenges ahead would be demanding, but he underscored his confidence that the task of
revitalizing the Centre, to enable it to face its tasks in the implementation of the
Habitat Agenda, would be done to expectations.
32. In their closing statements, the representatives of the regional groups expressed
their satisfaction with the outcome of the session and stated their expectations that the
decisions taken would be implemented. They further extended their appreciation to the
Government and people of Kenya for their hospitality and to the secretariat for the
excellent level of support they had received during the meeting. A statement was also made
on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77
and China. In addition, a statement was made by the representative of the member State
encumbering the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement.
33. In his concluding remarks, the Chairman thanked the other members of the Bureau,
the chairmen of the regional groups, the secretariat and all representatives to the
session for the successful completion of the work of the sixteenth session.
34. The Chairman then declared the sixteenth session of the Commission on Human
Settlements closed.

Annex I. Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission at
its sixteenth session
1. Resolutions requiring action by the General Assembly
16/1. Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolutions 50/99 of 20 December 1995 on the work of the
Commission on Human Settlements and on the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000,
and 51/177 of 16 December 1996 on the implementation of the outcome of the United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), **
Recalling also relevant Commission resolutions, including resolution 15/1 of 1 May
1995;
Bearing in mind that the Habitat Agenda /1 incorporates the principles of enablement
and participation contained in the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000, /
Bearing in mind also the relevant aspects of Agenda 21, /3 adopted at the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the Programme of Action /4 adopted at
the International Conference on Population and Development and the Copenhagen Declaration
on Social Development, /5 the Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference
on Women, the Programme of Action, /6 adopted at the World Summit for Social Development,
and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference on
Human Rights, /7
Recognizing that the operational focus of the Global Strategy is on action to be taken
at the local and national levels with the participation of all partners in civil society
and that regular monitoring of the impact of the national shelter strategy on the shelter
situation in Member States is a crucial aspect of the implementation of the Strategy,
Taking note with satisfaction that many Governments have enhanced their existing
national shelter strategies based on the principles of the Global Strategy for Shelter to
the Year 2000 and incorporated them into their national Habitat II plans of action,
Also noting with satisfaction that the Urban and Housing Indicators are being developed
in over one hundred and ten countries,
Having considered the report of the Executive Director on the implementation of the
Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000, /8
1. Adopts the fifth report of the Commission on Human Settlements to the General
Assembly on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 /9 and
the proposed plan of action and timetable for the period 1998-1999 for the Global
Strategy, /10 and requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) to transmit them through the Economic and Social Council to the
General Assembly in accordance with General Assembly resolution 43/181 of 20 December
1988;
2. Recommends that Governments extend, where appropriate, the application of the
indicators to all cities and rural settlements;
3. Recommends Governments to prepare annual progress reports as a part of their annual
reporting on the progress made in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and applying
urban and housing indicators, as appropriate, and to submit these reports to the Executive
Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat);
4. Requests the Executive Director to continue the support given to the efforts of
member countries by collecting and disseminating information on successful country
experiences in various aspects of shelter delivery;
5. Also requests the Executive Director to promote within available resources the
provision of assistance, including training, on sustainable enabling policies and
strategies and on practical ways and means of formulating, adopting and implementing them;
6. Further requests the Executive Director to submit a report on the implementation of
the next phase of the Global Strategy to the Commission at its seventeenth session;
7. Recommends to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, the
adoption, at its fifty-second session, of the following draft resolution:
"The General Assembly,
"Recalling its resolution 43/181 of 20 December 1988, in which it adopted the
Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 and designated the Commission on Human
Settlements as the United Nations intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating,
evaluating and monitoring the Strategy, and the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) as the lead agency for the Strategy,
"Noting that the conclusions of the mid-term review of the Strategy conducted by
the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) were incorporated into the
Habitat Agenda,
"Having considered the fifth report of the Commission on Human Settlements on the
implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000,
"Noting with satisfaction the support given to the implementation of the Global
Strategy by donor Governments, international bodies and intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations,
"1. Commends Governments that are already revising, consolidating, formulating or
implementing their national shelter strategies based on the enabling principles of the
Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 as elaborated in the Habitat Agenda;
"2. Urges Governments, in connection with the implementation of their Habitat II
national plans of action, to adopt and/or strengthen integrated national shelter
strategies based on the enabling approach and sustainable development;
"3. Also urges Governments to integrate fully the environmental dimension in the
formulation and implementation of national shelter strategies, taking into account the
relevant components of Agenda 21;
"4. Recommends that Governments extend the application of urban and housing
indicators to cities and rural settlements for monitoring the progress of their national
shelter strategy and the performance of the shelter sector, taking into account local
conditions and sensitivity to gender considerations;
"5. Urges the international community to strengthen its support for national
efforts to formulate and implement enabling shelter strategies in developing countries, as
recommended in Agenda 21;
"6. Urges the organizations of the United Nations system, particularly the United
Nations Development Programme, and other multilateral and bilateral agencies, to provide,
on the basis of an approach consistent with the Global Strategy, increased financial and
other support to Governments for achieving the objective of adequate shelter for all;
"7. Adopts the Plan of Action for the Global Strategy for the period 1998-1999,
and urges Governments, relevant United Nations and private sector organizations and
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to prepare and implement their
specific plans of action;
"8. Decides to subsume the sixth report of the Commission on Human Settlements to
the General Assembly on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter, as called
for in General Assembly resolution 43/181, into the report of the Secretary-General to the
General Assembly on the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, to be submitted pursuant to
General Assembly resolution 51/177."
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/2. Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human
Settlements (Habitat II) and the future role of the Commission on Human Settlements
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements
Recommends to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, the
adoption of the following draft resolution:
"The General Assembly,
"Welcoming the outcome of the second United Nations Conference on Human
Settlements (Habitat II),
"Bearing in mind its resolutions 2718 (XXV) of 15 December 1970, 3001 (XXVII) of
15 December 1972, 3327 (XXIX) of 16 December 1974 and, in particular, resolution 32/162
(XXXI) of 19 December 1977, by which it decided that the Economic and Social Council
should transform the Committee on Housing, Building and Planning into the Commission on
Human Settlements,
"Taking into account its resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996, on the
implementation of the outcome of the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II), and resolution 50/227 of 24 May 1996, on further measures for the
restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related
fields,
"I
"Framework for the functioning of the Commission
"Recalling that the General Assembly, in resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996,
decided that the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, in accordance with
the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and relevant resolutions,
including Assembly resolutions 48/162 of 20 December 1993 and 50/227 of 24 May 1996, and
together with the Commission on Human Settlements, shall constitute a three-tiered
intergovernmental mechanism to oversee the coordination of activities for the
implementation of the Habitat Agenda,
"Convinced that the follow-up to the second United Nations Conference on Human
Settlements (Habitat II) will be undertaken on the basis of an integrated approach to
human settlements development and within the framework of a coordinated follow-up to and
implementation of the results of the major international conferences in the economic,
social and related fields,
"1. Reaffirms that the Commission on Human Settlements, as a standing committee of
the Economic and Social Council, should have a central role in monitoring, within the
United Nations system, the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and advising the Council
thereon;
"2. Calls upon all the relevant United Nations organizations and specialized
agencies to identify specific actions that they will undertake, within their mandates,
towards the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, and invites them to inform the
Administrative Committee on Coordination of their actions;
"3. Calls upon the programmes and funds of the United Nations system and the
regional commissions, consistent with their respective mandates, to support fully the
effective implementation of the Habitat Agenda, particularly at the field level, as
appropriate;
"4. Invites the Bretton Woods institutions to consider how they might be actively
involved in the implementation and the follow-up to the Conference, and enhance their
cooperation with the United Nations system for that purpose;
"5. Decides, in view of the importance of non- governmental organizations and
local authorities and the private sector and research organizations, in the promotion of
human settlements development, that such organizations should be encouraged to participate
in the work of the Commission, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Economic
and Social Council resolution 1996/31 on the consultative relationship between the United
Nations and non-governmental organizations;
"II
"Terms of reference
"6. Reaffirms the existing mandate of the Commission on Human Settlements as set
out in General Assembly resolution 32/162 (XXXI) of 19 December 1977, while stressing the
normative and catalytic character of the mandate;
"7. Reaffirms in particular the responsibility of the Commission to give overall
policy guidance to and carry out supervision of the operations of the United Nations
Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), including the United Nations Habitat and Human
Settlements Foundation;
"8. Takes into account that the Commission should fulfil its mandate in line with
paragraphs 222 to 226 of the Habitat Agenda and in harmony with recommendations made by
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Develop- ment, particularly chapter 7 of
Agenda 21;
"9. Decides that the Commission, in fulfilling its mandate, shall assist the
Economic and Social Council in monitoring, reviewing and assessing the progress made in
the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, inter alia, through the analysis of relevant
inputs from Governments, local authorities and their associations, relevant
non-governmental organizations and the private sector;
"10. Decides further that the Commission shall identify issues where system-wide
coordination needs to be improved and modalities for promoting system-wide coordination,
in order to assist the Council in its coordination function;
"III
"Structure of the agenda and work programme of the Commission
"11. Urges the Commission to adopt a multi-year work programme for a focused and
thematic approach, culminating in an overall review and appraisal of the Habitat Agenda in
the year 2001. The work programme will, inter alia, provide a framework to assess the
progress achieved in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and will be in line with the
coordinated follow-up to conferences;
"12. Decides that the work of the Commission in relation to the programme of work
shall be primarily focused on the relevant provisions of the Habitat Agenda, with a view
to ensuring the effective implementation of the Habitat Agenda;
"13. Decides that the agenda of the Commission on Human Settlements at its future
sessions shall include the following substantive items, derived from Habitat II:
"(a) Consideration of issues identified in the multi- year programme of work;
"(b) Review of the relevant United Nations plans and programmes of action
pertaining to the themes "Sustainable human settlements development" and
"Adequate shelter for all";
"(c) Emerging issues, trends and new approaches to issues affecting human
settlements development;
"14. Further decides that at its seventeenth and eighteenth sessions, the
Commission will focus on monitoring the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and assessing
its impact. The sessions will be structured around the four substantive areas of the
Habitat Agenda, as follows:
"(a) Adequate shelter for all, incorporating also the monitoring of the Global
Shelter Strategy;
"(b) Sustainable human settlements in an urbanizing world, incorporating also the
monitoring of chapter 7 of Agenda 21;
"(c) Capacity-building and institutional development;
"(d) International cooperation and coordination;
"15. Also decides that:
"(a) At its seventeenth session, in 1999, the Commission will address the
above-mentioned substantive areas;
"(b) At its eighteenth session, in 2001, the Commission will focus on preparations
for the special session of the General Assembly, if appropriate;
"(c) In 1998 and 2000 the Centre, will analyse the progress on national
implementation status, organized around the four above-mentioned substantive areas, and
prepare synthesized reports, to be submitted for consideration by the Commission at its
seventeenth and eighteenth sessions;
"IV
"Documentation
"16. Requests that all United Nations documentation be kept concise, clear,
analytical and timely, with a focus on relevant issues, and that to the greatest extent
possible use be made of integrated reporting; that reports contain recommendations for
action and indicate the actors; that reports be available in all official languages, in
accordance with the rules of the United Nations; and that the use of other methods of
reporting, such as oral reports, should also be explored;
"V
"Methods of work of the Commission
"17. Recognizes that the methods of work of the Commission should be revitalized,
in order to improve the profile of the Commission and attract high-level political
participation;
"18. Decides that preparation of thematic discussions in the Commission should be
broadened by:
"(a) Inviting countries to contribute to preparation of the sessions through, for
example, organizing seminars or expert panels on issues directly related to the themes
that will be discussed at the session and to report thereon;
"(b) Involving local authorities, non-governmental organizations, the private
sector and other partners in the preparatory phases of the sessions;
"19. Also decides that, during the sessions of the Commission, dialogues with
major groups and panel discussions may be organized, the format of which as with all other
agenda items should be decided upon at the preceding sessions of the Commission;
"20. Decides to consider organizing during future sessions of the Commission
interactive high-level segments on key policy issues;
"VI
"Secretariat
"21. Urges the Secretary-General to ensure effective functioning of the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) in line with paragraph 232 of the Habitat
Agenda so as to enable it fully to discharge its mandate and, serve as an efficient
secretariat to the Commission, within which clear lines of responsibility are drawn, so as
to facilitate the implementation of the follow- up to Habitat II and ensure close
cooperation at the secretariat level between all United Nations entities involved in the
follow-up;
"22. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) to submit to future sessions of the Commission on Human Settlements
a detailed report on the activities of the regional offices, with special attention to the
status of implementation of their respective work programmes, elaborated for the
implementation of the Habitat Agenda in the region."
7 May 1997 9th meeting
2. Other resolutions
16/3. Disaster mitigation
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling its resolution 5/5 of 6 May 1982, in which it requests the Executive Director
of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to ensure that Governments
are adequately informed, between sessions of the Commission, of the operational activities
of the Centre and of the progress being made in implementing them,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991, concerning a
more coordinated response of the United Nations system to humanitarian disasters,
Further recalling paragraphs 170-175 of the Habitat Agenda, 2/ on the Centre's future
activities in the area of disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness and
post-disaster rehabilitation,
Noting the development-oriented nature of Habitat's disaster-mitigation activities
which respond effectively to the needs of developing countries, particularly of countries
in crisis,
Taking note of the establishment in 1996 of the Disaster Management Programme of the
Centre, and commending the Executive Director for the range of reconstruction projects
which were supported by the Centre in the period 1995-1996,
Recognizing the role of the Centre in supporting the implementation of plans of action
consistent with the Habitat Agenda, at the local and national levels,
1. Requests the Executive Director to continue the activities of the Disaster
Management Programme, within the approved work programme of the next biennium, in
collaboration and coordination with Member States, concerned partners and relevant United
Nations organizations, as a contribution of the Centre to the implementation of the
Habitat Agenda at the local, national, regional and global levels, and to conduct periodic
evaluations of those activities, as a contribution to programme development;
2. Invites all Governments in a position to do so, especially those of developed
countries, to render technical and financial support to the Centre's disaster-mitigation
activities related to its mandate;
3. Requests the Executive Director to report on the implementation of the present
resolution in his progress report to the Commission at its seventeenth session.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/4. Countries with economies in transition
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling the resolutions of the General Assembly on countries with economies in
transition, in particular those in which the Assembly invited the United Nations system to
continue its support for the efforts of those countries as they transform their economies
and integrate them in the world economy,
Recalling also its decision 15/5 of 1 May 1995 on countries with economies in
transition,
Reaffirming that the full integration of countries with economies in transition and of
other countries into the world economy is essential to sustainable development,
Recognizing the need for the promotion of reforms in housing and urban management and
development in countries with economies in transition, and for assisting them with their
human settlements problems,
1. Invites the Executive Director of United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat), in implementing the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Conference on
Human Settlements (Habitat II), to pay due regard to the problems and needs of countries
with economies in transition;
2. Requests the Executive Director to continue, within existing resources, to cooperate
with the appropriate regional organizations and to provide policy advice and technical
assistance, especially in capacity-building, to countries with economies in transition,
tailored to each country's respective economic and social needs in the field of housing
and human settlements, and paying special attention, inter alia, to:
(a) Sustainable development of human settlements in areas of severe environmental
degradation;
(b) Sustainable development of a transport infrastructure of cities and regions in the
process of privatization;
(c) The need for urban land censuses to establish a price and tax structure in cities;
(d) The mechanisms of attracting investments from the low- and medium-income groups of
the population to solve housing problems;
(e) The need for a retraining system for professionals in the city service sectors;
(f) The need for analysing the experience of countries with economies in transition in
housing reform;
3. Also requests the Executive Director to report to the Commission at its seventeenth
session on the implementation of the present resolution.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/5. Regional Training Centre in Amman for Arab States
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Taking note of the efforts made by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) regarding the implementation of the Habitat Agenda in the area of training,
Recalling its resolution 7/14 of 10 May 1984 on a systematic and comprehensive approach
for training for human settlements,
Appreciating the steps taken by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) and its Executive Director in arranging the course entitled "Design and
Execution of Urban Projects for Arab States", at Amman from 1 September to 6 October
1985,
Noting the recommendation of the Arab Housing Ministers Council at its fourth session,
held in 1985 in Tunis, that a permanent training centre for human settlements should be
established at Amman for the benefit of Arab States,
Noting also the donations made by the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for
establishing and maintaining the centre, without affecting the budget of the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the Foundation;
Recalling its resolution 13/7 of 8 May 1991, entitled "Regional Training Centre
for Human Settlements", and its resolution 9/4 of 16 May 1986, entitled "The
regional training centre for human settlements activities",
1. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) to take the necessary steps to activate the training centre and to initiate by
the end of 1997, in collaboration with the host Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan, the League of Arab States, bilateral and multilateral donor entities and regional
organizations, and without affecting the budget of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) and the Foundation, the elaboration of an appropriately designed
training programme for the next two years;
2. Also requests the Executive Director to report in his progress report on the
implementation of the present resolution for submission to the Commission at its
seventeenth session.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/6. Women in human settlements development
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Aware of the commitment made by Governments in the Istanbul Declaration on Human
Settlements /11 to ensure the full and equal participation of all women and men and the
effective participation of youth in political, economic and social life,
Recalling that the empowerment of women and their full and equal participation in
political, social and economic life, the improvement of health and the eradication of
poverty are essential to achieving sustainable human settlements,
Recognizing that women have unique perspectives and needs concerning the environment
and sustainable development,
Realizing that women constitute the majority of people living in poverty,
Also realizing that women face particular constraints in obtaining adequate shelter and
in fully participating in decision-making related to sustainable human settlements,
Recognizing that the Habitat Agenda 2/ stresses partnerships with many groups,
including non-governmental organizations at all levels, on policy-making, monitoring and
evaluation of the implementation of the Habitat Agenda,
Aware that civil society organizations of women play an important role as advisors on
human settlement matters from the perspective of women,
1. Urges Governments to ensure a gender-sensitive implementation of their national
plans of action;
2. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
to integrate fully a gender perspective into all activities of the Centre;
3. Further requests the creation of a gender coordination unit directly under the
Executive Director, in order to mainstream the gender perspective in all policies,
projects, programmes and activities of the Centre, and with adequate resources allocated
from within the existing resources of the Centre. In so doing, resources should not be
diverted from the Centre's Women in Human Settlements Development Programme;
4. Further requests the Executive Director to ensure gender balance in the Centre in
accordance with General Assembly resolution 51/67 of 12 December 1996, on improvement of
the status of women in the Secretariat;
5. Invites Governments to give financial and other support to the Women in Human
Settlements Development Programme of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat);
6. Encourages Governments to ensure the full and equal participation of women in
decision-making to ensure their contribution to sustainable human settlements development
and that the benefits of development are equally shared by all members of society;
7. Confirms that governmental institutions and civil society organizations may play an
important advisory role to the Centre on human settlements matters from the perspective of
women. In this context, a process may be initiated by the Executive Director to maximize
the contribution of women's civil- society organizations to such an advisory role on human
settlements;
8. Requests the Executive Director to include a report on the implementation of the
present resolution on women in human settlements development in his progress report to the
Commission at its seventeenth session.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/7. The realization of the human right to adequate housing
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Aware of the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for themselves and
their families, including adequate food, clothing, housing, water and sanitation, and to
the continuous improvement of living conditions, as stated in paragraph 11, of the Habitat
Agenda, 2/
Recalling that since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948,
the human right to adequate housing has been recognized as an important component of the
right to an adequate standard of living, as confirmed in paragraph 61 of the Habitat
Agenda,
Reaffirming the commitment of States, as set out in paragraph 39 of the Habitat Agenda,
to the full and progressive realization of the right to adequate housing as provided for
in international instruments,
Concerned that over one billion people are either homeless or reside in inadequate
housing conditions,
Recalling its resolution 14/6 of 5 May 1993 entitled "The human right to adequate
housing", and 15/2 of 1 May 1995 entitled "Report on housing rights
strategy",
Also recalling resolution 1997/17 of 11 April 1997 of the Commission on Human Rights,
entitled "Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and
cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and study of the special
problems which the developing countries face in their efforts to achieve these
rights";
1. Takes note with appreciation the Executive Director's report entitled "Strategy
for the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing"; /12
2. Recommends that, in addition to existing approved elements of their work programmes,
a joint programme be elaborated between the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) and the United Nations Centre for Human Rights, in order to assist States with
the implementation of their commitments to ensure the full and progressive realization of
the right to adequate housing, as provided for in international instruments and in
accordance with paragraphs 26 and 39 of the Habitat Agenda, taking into account the
proposed housing rights strategy of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) and relevant parts of the Habitat Agenda, to be coordinated with their
respective Commissions;
3. Requests the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) together with the
United Nations Centre for Human Rights to cooperate and coordinate with other relevant
United Nations agencies consistent with established mandates and available funding, and
international housing organizations in order to promote the full and progressive
realization of the right to adequate housing;
4. Requests all States within the overall context of an enabling approach, to take
appropriate action in order to promote, protect and ensure the full and progressive
realization of the right to adequate housing, as outlined in paragraph 61 of the Habitat
Agenda;
5. Invites States to provide to the Commission at its seventeenth session information
on progress achieved in the implementation of the provisions of the right to adequate
housing as set forth in the Habitat Agenda, particularly paragraph 61, within their
countries;
6. Further requests the Executive Director to submit to the Commission at its
seventeenth session a report on the implementation of the present resolution.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/8. Revitalization of the Habitat Centre
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements 13/ and the Habitat Agenda, 2/
as well as General Assembly resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996, which, inter alia,
designated the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) as a focal point for
the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and called for a comprehensive and in-depth
assessment of the Centre with a view to its revitalization,
Having considered the preliminary report of the Secretary- General /13 on the
assessment of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and other related
reports before the Commission, /14
Recognizing that the Centre is in a serious management and financial situation, part of
which is of a long standing nature, and that this situation must be addressed as a matter
of urgency,
Committed to the importance of the rapid revitalization of the Centre for the
successful implementation of the Habitat Agenda,
Taking into account the views expressed at the sixteenth session of the Commission by
Governments, as well as by other partners,
Noting with concern the late issuance of several documents pertaining to financial and
administrative matters,
Resolving to take appropriate actions necessary to redress the weaknesses of the
Centre,
1. Requests the Secretary-General to take into account, in undertaking the
comprehensive and in-depth assessment requested by the General Assembly in its resolution
51/177, the following guiding principles with regard to a revitalized Habitat Centre:
(a) The mandate of the Centre shall be in accordance with the relevant resolutions of
the General Assembly, particularly 32/162 of 19 December 1977, and of the Commission on
Human Settlements, as further elaborated in paragraph 228 of the Habitat Agenda;
(b) The Centre shall have a focused programme of work based on the Habitat Agenda and
shall devote all budgetary and non- budgetary funds to focused programmes, with a view to
maintaining the structural coherence of its activities;
(c) The Centre must develop further formal processes of institutional learning;
(d) The Centre shall promote and support international cooperation, in particular
through resource flows and the transfer of know-how, experience and technology;
(e) The Centre shall collect, generate and distribute pertinent information and
knowledge;
(f) The management and decision-making processes of the Centre shall be efficient,
accountable and transparent;
(g) The Centre shall assist in enhancing the capabilities of national and local
authorities to achieve sustainable human settlements development through, inter alia,
technical cooperation programmes;
2. Further requests the Secretary-General to take into account the following
recommendations:
(a) With regard to general management:
(i) The Centre must implement a set of clear and coherent policies which incorporate
its mandate, strategic plan and mission statement;
(ii) The Centre must pay special attention to the strengthening of horizontal and
vertical communication;
(iii) The Centre must develop further formal processes of institutional learning;
(b) With regard to financial management, the Centre should, with immediate effect,
enhance its financial management capacity through, inter alia, the deployment of the
required competent and experienced personnel to ensure the authorized and effective
utilization of resources;
(c) With regard to financial resources:
(i) The Centre must have adequate, stable and predictable funding for its activities.
Resource mobilization, including the urgent need to broaden the funding base, should
receive due attention;
(ii) Concerned Governments may be consulted with a view to ensuring funding for agreed
programmes;
(iii) The Centre must take measures to attract more non- earmarked contributions;
(iv) Governments and partners may be encouraged to increase their financial
contributions to the Centre;
(v) Governments and partners may be encouraged further to increase the non-earmarked
component of their contributions;
(d) With regard to administrative management:
(i) The Centre should ensure that sensitive administrative decisions, relating, inter
alia, to restructuring, contracts and employment procedures, are based not only on the
relevant policies and procedures, but also on consultations with the appropriate parties;
(ii) The financial arrangements of the United Nations Office at Nairobi should be
brought into line with those of similar United Nations administrative offices, such as the
United Nations Office at Geneva and the United Nations Office at Vienna. Consideration
should also be given to whether the continued existence of the United Nations Office at
Nairobi is justified;
(e) With regard to staff policies:
(i) The Centre should develop a human resources and staffing strategy whose main goal
is to align its human resource capacities with the organization's central purpose, thereby
enabling the staff to put the Centre's strategic plan into practice;
(ii) The Centre should ensure that the strategy promotes the development and
recognition of skills, greater emphasis on staff development, more team-based work,
improved management practices and a high degree of staff involvement;
(iii) The Centre should recruit personnel, in accordance with the established
procedures and transparent processes, to ensure that it is served by persons having the
required qualifications, experience and expertise. The existing imbalance and disparities
in gender and geographical representation, especially at the senior levels, must be
rectified urgently through affirmative action, and a report on the progress should be
submitted by the Executive Director to the Commission at its seventeenth session;
(f) With regard to programme management:
(i) The Centre should encourage increased staff participation in the planning and
management of its work, in accordance with agreed consultative procedures;
(ii) The Centre should ensure an integrated planning approach that is linked to
evaluation processes and draws on institutional learning;
(iii) The Centre should identify cross-cutting issues to be reflected in subprogrammes;
(iv) The Centre should seek to focus its activities, to ensure maximum impact,
replicability and institutional learning;
3. Notes that the findings of the report of the Office of Internal Oversight on the
review of the programme and administrative practices of the United Nations Centre for
Human Settlements (Habitat) /15 are incomplete in several respects, especially with regard
to their elaboration of the organizational structure of the Centre and the actions of
individuals;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure prompt implementation of the
recommendations of the report of the Office of Internal Oversight, taking into account the
observations and comments of the Executive Director of the Centre /16 and the views
expressed by the members of the Commission at its sixteenth session;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure urgent follow- up to the report of the
Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions /17 and the report of the
Board of Auditors on the financial report and the audited financial statements of the
United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation; /18
6. Urges the Executive Director to comply fully with the recommendations of the
Advisory Committee and the Board of Auditors and to keep Member States informed;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to address urgently the serious management and
financial situation at the Centre and its underlying causes and, in consultation with all
parties concerned, to take all necessary measures, including the appointment of a special
expert, with a view to ensuring that the Centre is prepared to meet its responsibilities
in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda;
8. Requests the Bureau of the Commission, with the support of the Committee of
Permanent Representatives, to monitor the improvements in the administrative and financial
management of the Centre and to report thereon to the Commission at its seventeenth
session;
9. Requests the Executive Director to report on the implementation of the present
resolution to the Commission at its seventeenth session.
7 May 1995 9th meeting
16/9. An Urbanizing World: Global Report on Human Settlements 1996
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 34/114 of 14 December 1979, in which the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) was requested to periodically provide a
complete review of human settlements conditions, including their development and
continuing evolution,
Recognizing the need for continual monitoring of human settlements conditions, review
of the performance of human settlements policies and strategies and, on the basis of this,
identification of innovative and effective ways of responding to changing human
settlements circumstances,
1. Welcomes the second global report, entitled An Urbanizing World: Global Report on
Human Settlements 1996, which was launched at the second United Nations Conference on
Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul in June 1996;
2. Requests the Executive Director to publicize and disseminate the Report as widely as
possible, within available resources;
3. Further requests the Executive Director to initiate the preparation of the third
edition of the Global Report on Human Settlements, as part of the 1998-1999 work programme
of the Centre.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/10. Resolution in recognition of the secretariat of the second
United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), the host country and the host
city
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling with deep satisfaction the second United Nations Conference on Human
Settlements (Habitat II), held in Istanbul from 3 to 14 June 1996,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996, in which the Assembly
endorsed the outcome of Habitat II,
Recalling the wide-ranging worldwide preparatory process for Habitat II, guided and
facilitated by the Secretary-General of the Conference and the United Nations Centre for
Human Settlements (Habitat), which served as secretariat for the Conference,
Recalling also the excellent arrangements for the Conference made by the Government of
Turkey and the warm hospitality extended by the Government and the people of Turkey and
the city of Istanbul to the participants,
Further recalling the participation and contribution of the representatives of local
authorities, city mayors and major groups of civil society in the preparatory process for
Habitat II and in the Conference itself, in the spirit of partnership to achieve the goals
of shelter for all and sustainable human settlements development,
Reaffirming its commitment to the early and comprehensive implementation of the
Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements 13/ and the Habitat Agenda 2/ adopted by the
Conference, which contain goals, commitments and principles, and actions to address the
serious and growing challenges in the field of human settlements in a rapidly urbanizing
world,
1. Commends the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) for its
contribution to the preparatory process for Habitat II and to the Conference itself;
2. Applauds the host country, Turkey, for its vital contribution to the success of
Habitat II and for the excellent arrangements for the Conference.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/11. Contributions of youth to the implementation of the
Habitat Agenda
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996 on the implementation
of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II),
Recalling also that, during the Habitat II Conference, youth strongly addressed human
settlements issues and actively contributed to a new line of thought through their
creativity, enthusiasm and potential to experiment,
Recognizing that, after the Habitat II Conference, they have maintained their momentum
in continuing their activities in the field of human settlements in order to implement the
Habitat Agenda 2/ in various ways,
Considering that, in paragraph 120, the Habitat Agenda stipulates actions to facilitate
youth involvement in human settlements management, planning and development,
Calls upon the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to strengthen,
within existing resources, its focus and capacity in the mobilization of the potential of
youth in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/12. Review of the working methods of the Commission on Human
Settlements: the involvement of partners
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 32/162 of 19 December 1977, in which the Assembly
established the Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling also the relevant paragraphs of the Habitat Agenda 2/ which updated the
objectives, functions and responsibilities of the Commission on Human Settlements and
highlighted the importance of the involvement of local authorities and civil society,
including the private sector, in the effective implementation of the Habitat Agenda,
Bearing in mind the spirit of partnership which was important during the United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), at which local authorities, non-
governmental organizations and the private sector were recognized as important
stakeholders in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda,
Recalling also the relevant provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution
1996/31 of 25 July 1996,
Further recalling General Assembly resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996, in which the
Commission on Human Settlements was requested to review at its sixteenth session its
working methods in order to involve in its work the representatives of local authorities
or international associations of local authorities, as appropriate, and the relevant
actors of civil society, particularly the private sector and non-governmental
organizations, in the field of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements
development, taking into account the rules of procedure of the Commission on Human
Settlements and the relevant provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31,
1. Invites Governments to consider, where appropriate, including in their delegations
to future sessions of the Commission, in accordance with the specific conditions of each
country, representatives of local authorities and the relevant actors of civil society,
particularly the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and research
organizations in the field of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements
development;
2. Decides that at its future sessions, the Commission on Human Settlements will
provide opportunities for partners to engage in a dialogue among themselves and with
Governments. The dialogues may, as appropriate, serve as an input to the deliberations of
the Commission;
3. Invites the representatives of local authorities and the relevant actors of civil
society, particularly the private sector, non-governmental organizations and research
organizations in the field of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements
development, to propose activities for the inter- sessional periods to the United Nations
Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), for the approval of the Commission on Human
Settlements, in order to accelerate the implementation of the Habitat Agenda;
4. Requests the Executive Director of the Centre to ensure, subject to approval of the
Commission on Human Settlements and without prejudice to the provisions of Economic and
Social Council resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996, that partners are actively involved
with the Centre's work so as to contribute to the effective implementation of the Habitat
Agenda through, where appropriate, the provision of inputs to the Centre in its
development, implementation and evaluation of the work programme;
5. Decides also that participation of the representatives of local authorities and the
relevant actors of civil society, particularly the private sector, non-governmental
organizations and research organizations in the field of adequate shelter for all and
sustainable human settlements development, will be in accordance with rule 61 of the rules
of procedure of the Commission on Human Settlements and the relevant provisions of
Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/13. International cooperation and coordination for sustainable
human settlements development
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996 on the implementation
of the outcome of the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II),
Recalling also that the formulation and implementation of strategies for human
settlements development are the primary responsibility of each country at the national and
local levels, within the legal framework of each country, and should take into account the
economic, social and environmental diversity of conditions in each country. The overall
decline in development assistance, however, is a serious cause for concern. In some
countries, this trend has also been accompanied by considerable increases in international
flows of capital and by increasing private sector involvement in infrastructure and
services development and management;
Recalling also paragraphs 201, 202, 204, 206, 207, 208 and 211 of the Habitat Agenda 2/
1. Urges the international community to mobilize national and international financial
resources and to strengthen international cooperation channelled through the United
Nations system for shelter provision and sustainable human settlements development;
2. Invites the Executive Director of the Centre to pursue efforts for mobilizing
financial and technical support from the international community, especially the
industrialized countries, and the private sector for the implementation of the Habitat
Agenda and related national plans of action;
3. Also invites the Executive Director to pursue similar efforts for possible support
from countries that have not until now been in a position to extend such support;
4. Requests the Executive Director to report in his progress report on the
implementation of the present resolution to the Commission at its seventeenth session.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/14. Upgrading the Regional Information Office in Amman to a
Regional Centre for Arab States to enhance the presence of the United Nations Centre for
Human Settlements (Habitat) in the Arab States region [ Up
]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Aware that the problems related to the achievement of sustainable human settlements
development differ among regions, and even within individual regions,
Considering the potential for strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations
Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) by means of establishing regional centres that
implement the operational activities and programmes in a manner that is more consistent
with the regional needs, and that ensures the effective participation of the States of the
region,
Recalling its resolution 14/7 of 5 May 1993, in which it requested the Executive
Director of United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to give high priority to
regional activities within the framework of the Centre's development- oriented efforts,
Taking note of the donations by a number of Arab States to support the activities of
the Centre and its Regional Information Office for Arab States in Amman, Jordan,
Affirming that the Group of Arab States has discussed the pressing need for the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to have a stronger institutional presence
in the Arab region,
Appreciative of the efforts made by the Group of Arab States within the framework of
League of Arab States, during the regional and international preparatory process for the
United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), held in Istanbul in June
1996,
Noting with satisfaction the efforts and activities of the League of Arab States
undertaken in cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia and the
Habitat Regional Information Office in drawing up an Arab Strategy for Sustainable Human
Settlements Development based upon the Habitat Agenda, especially the Arab Experts
Meeting, held in February 1997, and the second meeting to be held in August 1997 at the
headquarters of the League of Arab States,
Appreciative of the efforts made by the Executive Director to support the limited
activities undertaken by the Regional Information Office for Arab States, and his desire,
consistent with that of Arab States, to strengthen, promote and activate efforts and
activities of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) in the Arab
region, through the upgrading of the Information Office existing in Amman to a specialized
regional one,
1. Requests the Executive Director to take the necessary measures to consider upgrading
the information office in Amman to become a Regional Centre;
2. Also requests the Executive Director to prepare within the context of the review of
the regional information centres a comprehensive report addressing all issues concerning
the upgrading of the Information Office in Amman into a regional centre, including, inter
alia, mandate identification, plan of action and financial and administrative
implications. The report should be prepared in full consultation with the League of Arab
States and the host country;
3. Further requests the Executive Director to arrange a meeting between the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), the League of Arab States and the host
country, to be held during the first quarter of 1998 to discuss the Executive Director's
report and the draft memorandum of understanding specifying the terms of implementation of
the resolution;
4. Also requests that the upgrading of the Information Office to a regional centre
should not lead to a reduction in the support currently provided by the United Nations
Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to the regional information office and the projects
and programmes targeting the Arab region;
5. Further requests the Executive Director to report on the implementation of the
present resolution to the Commission at its seventeenth session;
6. Also requests the Executive Director to report to the Commission at its seventeenth
session on the activities, staffing and financing of the regional representations of the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat).
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/15. Contribution of the private and non-governmental sectors
to shelter delivery to low-income groups
[ Up ]
The Commission of Human Settlements,
Recalling its decision 15/20 of 1 May 1995 on themes for consideration by the
Commission on Human Settlements at its sixteenth session, by which it decided that one of
the themes for the sixteenth session should be the contribution of the private and
non-governmental sectors to shelter delivery to low-income groups,
Recalling also its relevant resolutions, such as 14/13 of 5 May 1993 on Shelter Sector
Performance Indicators and 14/20 of 5 May 1993 on preparations for the United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), and also General Assembly resolution 51/177
of 16 December 1996 on implementation of the outcome of the second United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II),
Aware and concerned that over one billion people are still either homeless or residing
in inadequate housing conditions, despite positive developments taking place in shelter
policy formulation and the implementation of appropriate strategies,
Fully supporting the call for action by the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year
2000 3/ and the Habitat Agenda 2/ to achieve adequate shelter for all,
Recognizing the current trend in enabling shelter strategies, where the focus in the
shelter delivery process is shifting from direct public sector interventions to the
provision of support measures to the land and housing markets,
Recognizing also the important role of the private sector in shelter delivery to
low-income groups and the important role of non-governmental and community-based
organizations, especially the housing cooperative movement,
1. Commends the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) for his report on the contribution of the private and non-governmental sectors
to shelter delivery to low-income groups/19 and takes note of its main findings and
recommendations for the guidance of future action at the local, national, regional and
international levels to improve the contributions of these sectors to shelter delivery
processes;
2. Reaffirms those calls for action already outlined in the relevant provisions of the
Habitat Agenda, the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 and Agenda 21, that
encourage the full participation of all actors in the human settlements development and
management process in providing shelter for all within operational enabling environments;
3. Calls upon Governments to establish a facilitating framework to implement shelter
policies and strategies that promote and optimize the contributions of the public, private
and non-governmental sectors in shelter provision for low-income groups by making full use
of the synergies arising from collaboration between different actors in the shelter
delivery process;
4. Urges Governments to adopt policies in support of those land and housing markets and
businesses which protect and promote the interests of low-income groups;
5. Encourages Governments to develop monitoring systems and actions, for the study,
analysis, documentation and dissemination of innovations and lessons of experience in
promoting the contribution of the private and non-governmental sectors to the shelter
delivery process, giving particular attention to the needs of low-income groups;
6. Emphasizes the role of the international community and external assistance to
developing countries and countries with economies in transition in promoting information
exchange and lessons learnt from experience, particularly between developing countries,
and in promoting training and capacity-building activities;
7. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat), within existing resources, to intensify research, monitoring and evaluation of
progress in shelter delivery to low-income groups, with specific focus on improving the
contributions of the private and non- governmental sectors, including housing cooperative
associations, to this process, and to incorporate the findings and recommendations of
these research, monitoring and evaluation activities into the future work programmes of
the Centre.
6 May 1997 8th meeting
16/16. Management of natural resources in the context of
sustainable human settlements
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Aware that global increases in population, rising levels of urbanization, and
unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, particularly in developed countries,
are stressing the finite natural resource base, stressing fragile ecosystems and causing
environmental degradation and adverse health effects,
Also aware that significant areas of high ecological value, at the international and
national levels, should be protected from urban development,
Also aware that the sustainable supply and maintenance of natural resources, such as
fresh water, clean air, land, mineral and forest-based resources and energy, is crucial to
the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, 2/
Recognizing the need of applying economic instruments which are conducive to the
rational use of natural assets, taking into account the specific circumstances of each
country,
Further aware that reconciling the seemingly conflicting goals of improving of living
conditions in human settlements and conserving the natural resource base poses a challenge
to policy- makers and managers,
Noting that, in addition to national Governments, local authorities, in partnership
with civil society, can play an important role in the management of natural resources,
Noting with appreciation the efforts of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) to develop a strategy for managing natural resources for sustainable human
settlements development and management, by convening an expert group, in cooperation with
the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations,
Reiterating the precautionary principle approach, the "polluter pays"
principle, the pollution prevention principle, respect for the carrying capacity of
ecosystems, and the preservation of opportunities for future generations, enunciated by
the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), in the context of
sustainable human settlements,
1. Calls upon Governments to adopt and facilitate integrated policies and a combination
of appropriate measures for promoting sustainable human settlements development,
including:
(a) The monitoring and assessment of the exploitation and consumption of natural
resources in human settlements, particularly the growing ecological footprints of cities,
using indicators, as appropriate;
(b) Strengthening of planning and development control activities, including land-use
planning, aimed at reducing the need for mobility, particularly in urban areas, and
protection of land resources;
(c) Strengthening conservation of fragile ecosystems, such as coastal areas, small
islands and mountainous areas;
(d) Making appropriate use of economic instruments and regulatory and opinion-forming
measures for improving the efficiency of resource use in human settlements, including the
use of energy, especially in construction and in buildings-in- use;
(e) Promotion of measures that combine resource recovery with environmental protection
and employment generation, such as the recycling and reuse of wastes in human settlements,
including the conversion of organic wastes into compost, and the reuse of inorganic waste
in the secondary-material economy and of waste water in urban agriculture and forestry;
(f) Promotion of eco-efficiency in industry, particularly the construction industry and
in urban infrastructure services, so as to move from resource-intensive to
resource-efficient production processes, by increasing research-and-development investment
for low-waste and cleaner technologies;
2. Further calls upon Governments, where appropriate, to promote and support
broad-based partnerships of all interested parties, particularly the private sector - both
formal and informal operators - and community groups, for the efficient use of resources
and the recycling and reuse of wastes in human settlements;
3. Urges Governments to support the formulation and implementation of local Agenda 21s
and other, similar, measures in order to increase the environmental awareness of the
partners involved and use their innovative potential;
4. Requests the Executive Director to review, on a regular basis, trends in the
exploitation and sustainable consumption of natural resources related to the development
and management of human settlements, particularly in urban areas, the least developing
countries, and small island developing States, and to promote information exchange on best
practices;
5. Further requests the Executive Director, as part of the Centre's existing work
programme, to support Governments by, inter alia:
(a) Promoting, where appropriate, energy/material efficiency standards and other
approaches conducive to the sustainable consumption of natural resources relating to the
development and management of human settlements;
(b) Assisting developing countries to identify and access eco-efficient technologies in
the construction industry and in the provision of infrastructure services.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/17. The rights of the child, particularly with respect to
shelter and related services
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 51/77 of 12 December 1996 on the rights of the
child;
Also recalling that the right of the child to an adequate standard of living is
recognized by States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child /20 in the
relevant articles of that instrument,
Recalling its resolution 15/14 of 1 May 1995 on concrete measures towards the full
realization of children's housing rights,
Recalling also the Habitat Agenda 2/ adopted at the second United Nations Conference on
Human Settlements (Habitat II),
Conscious of the fact that the physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social
development of the child, the future generation, depends on a safe, secure and adequate
place to live, and that children are particularly vulnerable when deprived of an adequate
standard of living in this respect,
Emphasizing the need for a safe and secure environment for children,
Concerned about large disparities in child well-being between and within cities, rural
areas and countries,
Recognizing that the knowledge and resources of children are indispensable in the
promotion of positive environments,
Acknowledging the right of children to participate in the shaping of their physical and
social environment, in accordance with article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child,
Acknowledging also that participation of children in the implementation of the Habitat
Agenda is conducive to the realization of their housing rights,
1. Calls upon all States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to fulfil
their obligations under the Convention and support efforts within the United Nations
system to adopt effective measures concerning the fulfilment of the right of the child to
an adequate standard of living and the continuous and progressive improvement of living
and housing conditions as stipulated in the relevant international agreements and
conventions;
2. Urges all Governments to adopt and implement all appropriate measures for the
fulfilment of children's rights with respect to shelter and related services;
3. Further urges all Governments to ensure that children are given appropriate
opportunities to participate in the formulation of national and local plans of action
related to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda;
4. Calls upon Governments to promote policies conducive to the fulfilment of the right
of the child as stipulated in the relevant international agreements and conventions,
taking into account paragraphs 13 and 31 of the Habitat Agenda;
5. Requests the Executive Director to give appropriate attention to children's issues
in the field of sustainable human settlements development in all activities of the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) within the approved work programme for the
biennium 1998-1999;
6. Requests the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to continue its
close collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund, as the lead United Nations
agency for children's issues, and with other United Nations agencies, in developing
programmes for child-friendly human settlements;
7. Also requests the Executive Director to report on the implementation of the present
resolution in his progress reports to the Commission at its seventeenth and subsequent
sessions.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/18. Illegal Israeli human settlements in the occupied
Palestinian territory
[ Up ]
21 The
Recalling its resolutions 13/6 of 8 May 1991 and 14/9 of 5 May 1993, on housing
requirements for the Palestinian people,
Also recalling the resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 24 April 1997, at its
tenth emergency session, in which the Assembly condemns the construction by Israel, the
occupying Power, of a new settlement in Jabal Abu Ghneim to the south of occupied East
Jerusalem and all other illegal Israeli action in all the occupied territories,
Considering that the issue of housing for Palestinian people, especially refugees in
the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, falls within the mandate of the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat),
Taking into account the serious deterioration in living conditions and instability of
human settlements in cities, towns and localities in the occupied Palestinian territories,
especially in the occupied Holy City of East Jerusalem, as a result of Israeli occupation
practices, such as the construction of illegal human settlements,
1. Calls upon the Israeli authorities to implement the following measures in order to
enable the Palestinian people, in the territories occupied since 1967, to secure their
housing needs:
(a) Put an end to the confiscation of Palestinian lands and the establishment of
settlements to house immigrants in the occupied territories;
(b) Halt all forms of Israeli construction activities to establish a new settlement in
Jabal Abu Ghneim to the south of East Jerusalem;
(c) Refrain from applying policies that prevent and hamper the issuance of building
permits to the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, including Jerusalem;
2. Further calls upon the international donor community to increase financial
assistance needed for an overall solution to the housing problems in the occupied
Palestinian territories;
3. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) to cooperate with the Secretary-General in monitoring the situation and
preparing the report called for by the General Assembly at its tenth emergency session;
4. Further requests the Executive Director to present to the Commission at its
seventeenth session a comprehensive report on his contribution in compliance with the
present resolution.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/19. Corrective measures in administrative and budgetary
matters [ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 51/225 of 4 April 1997, in which the General
Assembly expressed serious concern about the financial irregularities in the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements and decided to bring them to the attention of the
Commission, with a view to taking immediate corrective action,
1. Insists that the Executive Director reimburses the Foundation for any advances made
to Habitat II and, noting that the decision of the Executive Director to apply a 15 per
cent deduction from all non-earmarked contributions to refund the remaining balance of
Habitat II is in clear contradiction to the demands of the Advisory Committee on
Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the General Assembly in resolution 51/225,
decides to reject that decision and invites the Executive Director to cover the deficit in
the Habitat II account in ways that do not affect the Foundation; the Commission also
regrets the shifting of International Year of Shelter for the Homeless funds to Habitat
II;
2. Urges the Executive Director to undertake action to:
(a) Bring budget and spending into line with work programme priorities, as identified
by the Commission;
(b) Revise future income estimates on a realistic basis, in order to match expenditure
with actual income;
(c) Devise a new budget format, following the recommendations of the Advisory Committee
*22 and in consultation with all Member States, in order to make financial information
readily available in a clear and accessible way;
(d) Review the Centre's operational relationship with the United Nations Office at
Nairobi in order to maximize savings and efficiency;
(e) Address with the utmost attention the disputed issues pending with the Central
Emergency Revolving Fund and the Department for Humanitarian Affairs;
(f) Consider, within the restructuring of the financial and administrative management
system of the Foundation and the Centre, the possibility of placing non-earmarked and
earmarked Foundation and financial reserve funds in disaggregated accounts;
(g) Report in writing within two months to the Committee of Permanent Representatives
and all Member States on the proposed increase in Regional Offices and its financial and
mandate implications, taking into account criteria of efficiency, effectiveness,
transparency and accountability; the policy outlined in the report will be evaluated by
the Bureau of the Commission, with support of the Committee of Permanent Representatives;
all Member States are invited to submit their observations and comments to the Executive
Director;
(h) Strengthen internal evaluation and oversight mechanisms;
(i) Implement the recommendations contained in paragraph 25 of the Advisory Committee
on Administrative and Budgetary Questions report; /23
(j) Revise the staffing table, following the rationalization of common services in
Nairobi, under the United Nations Office at Nairobi;
(k) Keep the Committee of Permanent Representatives and all Member States informed on a
permanent basis on the transfer of project posts of a continuing nature to the staffing
table of the Foundation, as requested in paragraph 17 of the report of the Advisory
Committee;
(l) Reduce administrative costs, inter alia, by bringing non-programme related
functions from the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation under the
regular budget or, if that is not possible, to freeze the relevant posts in order to
allocate more resources to substantive activities;
(m) Apply in full the stipulations in the Secretary- General's directive concerning
affirmative action, to ensure more balanced gender distribution within the overall staff
of the Centre;
(n) Merge the roster of women experts with the existing roster of experts;
3. Urgently requests the Executive Director to provide, within three months, to the
Bureau of the Commission, the Committee of Permanent Representatives and all Member States
as well as the internal auditor, a written progress report on actions taken to redress the
deficiencies in the financial administration of the Centre to enhance efficiency and
transparency;
4. Requests the secretariat to prepare by 15 June 1997 a revised draft work programme
and an additional version organized according to the structure of the Habitat Agenda, in
accordance with the report of Committee I on the work programme of the United Nations
Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) for the biennium 1998-1999. The revised draft work
programme will be subject to review and approval by the Bureau of the Commission, with the
support of the Committee of Permanent Representatives;
5. Requests the Bureau of the Commission, the Committee of Permanent Representatives
and all Member States, to monitor the implementation of the present resolution and
consider and evaluate the report of the Executive Director referred to above.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/20. Cooperation between the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling its resolution 15/8 of 1 May 1995 and decisions 18/15 of 26 May 1995 and 19/9
D of 7 February 1997 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme,
on cooperation between the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the
United Nations Environment Programme in the Sustainable Cities Programme,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 40/199 of 17 December 1985 on cooperation
between the Centre and the United Nations Environment Programme,
Noting the importance of this cooperation and coordination for the effective
implementation of Agenda 21 4/ and of the Habitat Agenda 2/ and the Istanbul Declaration,
adopted at the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), 13/
Having considered the joint progress report of the Executive Directors of the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the United Nations Environment
Programme on cooperation between the Centre and the United Nations Environment Programme
/24 and the report on the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Commission at its
fifteenth session, /25
Noting with satisfaction the progress in implementing the resolutions regarding
cooperation between the Centre and the United Nations Environment Programme in the
Sustainable Cities Programme, especially as a facility for building effective partnerships
between cities, United Nations bodies and other international organizations concerned with
implementing the Habitat Agenda in the area of sustainable urban development and
environment improvement,
1. Commends the United Nations Environment Programme for its positive role in the
preparatory process for Habitat II, as well as for its participation in and contribution
to the Conference itself;
2. Requests the Executive Director to continue and to develop further the cooperation
between the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the United Nations
Environment Programme, as exemplified by the Sustainable Cities Programme, in order to
ensure that a synergy of effort can be achieved in all relevant activities;
3. Requests the Executive Director to report on the implementation of this resolution
to the Commission at its seventeenth session.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/21. Cooperation and coordination matters
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling its resolutions 10/7 of 16 April 1987, 14/18 of 5 May 1993, 15/12 of 1 May
1995 and other relevant resolutions,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 34/114 of 14 December 1979 concerning
cooperation with intergovernmental organizations outside the United Nations system,
resolution 50/100 of 20 December 1995 on, inter alia, the participation and contribution
of non-governmental organizations to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II) and its preparatory process and resolution 51/177 of 16 December 1996 on the
implementation of the outcome of that Conference by Governments, organizations of the
United Nations system, including the Bretton Woods institutions, and relevant
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations,
Noting also the efforts of the Centre in furthering and promoting cooperation and
coordination with agencies and organizations within the United Nations system, including
the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, and with intergovernmental
organizations outside the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations, in the
implementation of the Habitat Agenda, 2/
Noting further the expanded area of system-wide cooperation and coordination as a
consequence of the role of focal point that the Centre is playing in coordinating the
implementation and monitoring of progress of the Habitat Agenda,
Reaffirming the need for continued and fruitful cooperation and coordination between
the Centre and intergovernmental organizations, such as the Caribbean Community, the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the
League of Arab States, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization of
American States, the Organization of African Unity, the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development, the Company for Habitat and Housing in Africa
(Shelter-Afrique), and the Centre's cooperative activities with financial institutions
such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the African
Development Bank,
Recognizing the call to all organizations of the United Nations system and other actors
concerned with human settlements and urban management issues, such as local authorities,
relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, parliamentarians, the
private sector, trade unions, academicians and other community groups, to implement fully
and effectively the Habitat Agenda,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the efforts of the Executive Director of the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to improve coordination and cooperation in
the implementation of the Habitat Agenda among organizations within the United Nations
system, inter-governmental organizations outside the United Nations system and
non-governmental organizations;
2. Requests the Executive Director to assist countries by providing advice on practical
mechanisms and strategies for facilitating an integrated and coordinated implementation of
the Habitat Agenda by all stakeholders, particularly non-governmental organizations, local
authorities and private-sector entities;
3. Urges the Executive Director to intensify efforts to generate practical
collaborative programmes with intergovernmental organizations outside the United Nations
system and regional development banks, as a means of enhancing the implementation of the
Habitat Agenda;
4. Further requests the Executive Director to continue to accord due recognition and
importance to close collaboration, at the global, regional and national levels, between
the Centre and universities and research and scientific institutes, including human
solidarity and voluntary groups;
5. Further urges the Executive Director to continue to pursue efforts for enhanced
coordination with agencies and organizations of the United Nations system, including the
United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme and the
World Bank, and with intergovernmental organizations and relevant financial institutions
outside the United Nations system, for more effective implementation of the Habitat
Agenda;
6. Also requests the Executive Director to include in his progress report to the
Commission at its seventeenth session the results of such cooperation and coordination.
6 May 1997 8th meeting
16/22. Cooperation in the eradication of poverty
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling its resolution 14/3 of 5 May 1993, on shelter, employment and the poor,
Recalling the positions of the Habitat Agenda on social development, technical
cooperation and implementation at the international level, /26
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 51/178 of 16 December 1996, concerning the
First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006),
Bearing in mind the relevant conclusions of the Economic and Social Council at its
coordination segment in 1996, and especially those in which specific responsibility is
assigned to the Commission on Human Settlements in the field of poverty eradication,
Recognizing that poverty in rural and urban areas is growing and continues to place an
enormous burden on an increasing number of urban dwellers in every part of the world,
Recognizing also the importance of direct exchange among local actors and emphasizing
their central role in the struggle against poverty,
Recognizing further the need for the empowerment of people living in poverty and their
communities to enable them effectively to address poverty,
Noting and acknowledging the results of the International Conference on Urban Poverty,
held in Recife on 17-21 March 1996,
Noting with satisfaction that the preparatory process of the United Nations Conference
on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the Conference itself have generated greater
awareness of the need for policies to address poverty,
Taking note of the relevant paragraphs of the report of the Executive Director on the
role of local authorities, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other
partners in the implementation and monitoring of the Habitat Agenda, /27
1. Recognizes the contribution made by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) to the achievement of the eradication of poverty by performing its activities
within its existing mandate;
2. Stresses the importance of developing specific policies targeting vulnerable groups,
addressing social integration and security and enhancing the participation of people
living in poverty, as part of a coordinated effort for the implementation of the outcome
of recent global United Nations conferences, which have all given priority to the goal of
poverty eradication;
3. Calls for renewed efforts by Governments at all levels, both in the developed and
the developing world, to address poverty by facilitating the integration of the rural and
urban poor in labour markets and their access to urban services, urban land and social
benefits;
4. Requests the Executive Director to contribute, within existing resources and within
the existing mandate, to the International Forum on Urban Poverty, to be held in Florence
on 14-19 September 1997;
5. Requests the Executive Director to include in his progress report to the Commission
at its seventeenth session the implementation of this resolution.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/23. Global Parliamentarians on Habitat
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling its resolution 14/12 of 5 May 1993, in which it noted with satisfaction the
conclusion reached by the meeting of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat,
Noting that the Global Parliamentarians had organized a successful Parliamentarians
Forum as a parallel activity to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II),
Considering that Parliamentarians can contribute substantially to sustainable
development by promoting legislative changes, improving public policy and strengthening
institutions for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda 2/ and the Istanbul Declaration
on Human Settlements, 13/ at the local, national, regional and international levels,
1. Encourages the Global Parliamentarians to continue their valuable efforts to further
the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and the Istanbul Declaration;
2. Calls upon the international community to encourage the Global Parliamentarians to
play their active role in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda.
6 May 1997 7th meeting
16/24. Special session of the General Assembly for the purpose of
an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling the outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements 13/
(Habitat II), in particular, the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements and the Habitat
Agenda, 2/ and of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, in
particular, Agenda 21, 4/
Recalling General Assembly resolution 47/190 of 22 December 1992 which urged
Governments and bodies of the United Nations system to ensure effective follow-up to the
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21,
Aware that rapid urbanization, the concentration of the urban population in large
cities, the sprawl of cities into wider geographical areas and the rapid growth of
megacities are among the most significant transformations of human settlements,
Noting that by the year 2005 the majority of the world's population will live in urban
areas,
Emphasizing that urban areas will strongly influence the world in the twenty-first
century and that urban and rural populations will be increasingly interdependent in their
economic, environmental and social well-being,
Convinced that urban settlements, properly planned and managed, hold a promise for
human development and for the protection of the world's natural resources through their
ability to support large numbers of people while limiting their impact on the natural
environment,
Concerned that many cities are witnessing harmful patterns of growth, production and
consumption, land use, mobility and the degradation of their physical structure, and
noting that such problems are often synonymous with soil, air, and water pollution, the
waste of resources and destruction of natural resources,
Reaffirming that sustainable development is essential for human settlements development
and gives full consideration to the needs and necessities of achieving economic growth,
social development and environmental protection,
Aware that sustainable urban development requires a consideration of the carrying
capacity of the entire ecosystem supporting such development, including the prevention and
mitigation of adverse environmental events occurring outside urban areas,
1. Calls on the General Assembly at its special session for the purpose of an overall
review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21 to take into account the message
of the Habitat Agenda and the Istanbul Declaration, namely, that urgent action in cities
and human settlements is necessary in order to secure sustainable human settlements and
safe and healthy living conditions, especially for urban populations, recognizing the
impact of urbanization on all sectors of sustainable human settlements;
2. Invites all relevant specialized agencies and related organizations of the United
Nations system, and the Bretton Woods institutions, to strengthen and adjust their
activities, programmes and medium-term strategies within their mandates, as appropriate,
to take into account the follow-up to Habitat II, particularly at the field level.
Relevant governing bodies should examine their relevant policies, programmes, budgets and
activities;
3. Requests the Executive Director to promote cooperation and exchange of information
between the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the Department for
Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development in order to inform their intergovernmental
machinery of their respective inputs in addressing the questions of sustainable human
settlements development;
4. Requests the Executive Director to submit his report on the implementation of Agenda
21, /28 together with the comments made on it by the Commission, to the General Assembly
at its special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the
implementation of Agenda 21;
5. Requests the Chairman of the Commission on Human Settlements to submit the present
resolution to the General Assembly at its special session.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/25. Establishment of an office of the United Nations Centre
for Human Settlements in the Asia and Pacific region
[ Up ]
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling its resolution 14/7 of 5 May 1993 as well as its resolution 15/7 of 1 May
1995,
Taking into consideration the activities embarked upon by the Executive Director, in
consultation with Governments, to establish an office of the Centre in the Asia and
Pacific region,
1. Welcomes the generous offer made by the Government of Japan to establish an office
of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) in Fukuoka, Japan;
2. Expresses its appreciation for the concerted support provided, under the spirit of
partnership, by the Government of Japan together with the Fukuoka Prefectural Government,
Fukuoka City and the Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation, and also with the
assistance of the private sector, to provide adequate resources to the Fukuoka office,
including necessary staff and facilities and potential to expand the Centre's activities
in the region;
3. Requests the Executive Director to provide appropriate support to ensure the
effective operation of the office, within existing resources;
4. Also requests the newly established office to cooperate in other regional activities
in the Asia and Pacific region;
5. Further requests the Executive Director to submit a report on the implementation of
the present resolution to the Commission at its seventeenth session.
7 May 1997 9th meeting
16/26. Fifth report of the Commission on Human Settlements to the
General Assembly on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000
[ Up ]
At its 8th plenary session, on 7 May 1997, the Commission, having considered the draft
prepared by the Executive Director of UNCHS (Habitat) of the fifth report of the
Commission on Human Settlements to the General Assembly on the implementation of the
Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000, 10/ decided to incorporate into the draft
the additions and amendments submitted by delegations and to submit the revised report to
the General Assembly at its fifty-second session.
16/27. Medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001
[ Up ]
At its 8th plenary session, on 7 May 1997, the Commission decided to adopt the
medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001, as contained in document HS/C/16/10.
16/28. Draft work programme of the United Nations Centre for
Human Settlements (Habitat) for the biennium 1998-1999
[ Up ]
At its 8th plenary session, on 7 May 1997, the Commission decided;
(a) To request the secretariat to prepare, by 15 June 1997, a revised work programme,
taking into full account its conclusions and priority-setting, plus an additional version
organized according to the structure of the Habitat Agenda with clear indication of
linkages between paragraphs of the Habitat Agenda and the work programme, also to be
prepared by 15 June 1997. The revised work programme should also be based on the revised
allocation of funds from the Foundation, as determined by Committee I and taking into
account the Commission resolutions with broader budget implications. The revised draft
work programme should be subjected for review and approval four weeks after its
submission, by the Bureau of the Commission, with the support of the Committee of
Permanent Representatives;
(b) To request that, when preparing future work programmes, the secretariat should
provide:
(i) All relevant financial data on new and ongoing activities, including data at the
output level broken down by sources of funds, and data at the cluster level, with their
percentages for all sources of funds;
(ii) More descriptive information in the narrative part of the work programme - for
example, on what specific issues would be addressed by expert groups and workshops;
(iii) An evaluation in line with the priorities of the Habitat Agenda of the ongoing
work programme of the Centre; and
(iv) A parallel version of the work programme, organized according to the structure of
the Habitat Agenda, with clear indication of linkages between the Habitat Agenda and the
work programme, including a description of the expected results of the outputs, activities
and services proposed under the work programme.
16/29. Budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements
Foundation for the biennium 1998-1999
[ Up ]
At its 8th plenary session, on 7 May 1997, the Commission adopted the following
decision:
The Commission on Human Settlements,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 51/225 of 4 April 1997, in which the Assembly
expresses serious concern and requests the Commission to consider irregularities in the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), and asks for immediate corrective
action,
Taking note, with great concern of the observations made by the Advisory Committee on
Administrative and Budgetary Questions in its reports on the proposed budget of the United
Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation for the biennium 1998- 1999 and on
financial reports and audited financial statements and reports of the Board of Auditors
/29 the report of the Board of Auditors on the financial report and audited financial
statements of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation /30 and the
report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the review of the programme and
administrative practices of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), /31
Considering, in particular, the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on
Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Board of Auditors to the Commission
concerning the need to reduce significantly the Centre's expenditure projections,
Noting that the Commission had reviewed the response by the Executive Director to the
Advisory Committee and found it inadequate,
Noting again, with concern that the Advisory Committee and the Board of Auditors had
expressed profound dissatisfaction with the amount and quality of information provided by
the Executive Director,
1. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat) to take corrective action and to avoid recurrence;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to take any necessary action to provide the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) with the capacity to audit its books,
manage its finances and expenditures, and provide all information necessary to make
responsible budget decisions. In this context, the financial and administrative management
of the Centre should be brought into line with the general standards applied to the United
Nations system, in order to secure effectiveness, efficiency and transparency;
3. Requests the Executive Director to take immediate action to put on a sound basis the
administrative and financial management of the Centre, complying in full with the
recommendations of Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the
Board of Auditors and to keep the internal Auditor based in Nairobi and all Member States
informed of progress made;
4. Approves, subject to the Centre's successful pursuance of the objective in paragraph
three, an allocation for expenditure of $23,044,167 for the biennium 1996-1997, /32 as
indicated in tables 2B, 5C and 6C, in the annex to the present decision; /33
5. Further approves, subject to the provisions in paragraph three, an allocation for
expenditure of $24 million for the biennium 1998-1999. This figure is indicated with the
understanding that for the next biennium the most likely level of expenditure can at
present be estimated to be around $21 million, as indicated in tables 2B, 5C and 6C.
However, the $24 million may be achieved, or even exceeded, if the Centre addresses its
deficiencies properly, thus restoring the confidence of Member States and attracting new
pledges, particularly non-earmarked;
6. Instructs the Executive Director to reduce, to the maximum extent possible,
administrative expenses, allocations for consultants, provisions for official travel,
especially under programme-support costs and communication charges, and to revise the
staffing table, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Efforts
should be made to reduce the number of staff under the Foundation performing
administrative tasks. High-level management positions should be filled only on an acting
basis during the restructuring of the Centre. All posts should be advertised internally
and externally and fully competed for, in accordance with United Nations rules, in order
to ensure transparency.
16/30. Coordination matters
[ Up ]
At its 8th plenary session, on 7 May 1997, the Commission decided to request the
secretariat to implement those matters arising from the resolutions of legislative organs
of the United Nations and other intergovernmental bodies, taking into account the Centre's
mandate and work programme.
16/31. Themes for the seventeenth session of the Commission on
Human Settlements
[ Up ]
At its 8th plenary session, on 7 May 1997, the Commission decided that it would
consider two themes for its seventeenth session. It further decided that those themes
should be:
(a) "Local implementation of the Habitat Agenda, with particular attention to
local Agenda 21s"; and
(b) "International cooperation for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda".

ANNEX II. List of documents before the Commission
[ Up ]
Letter of convocation
Notification by the Executive Director
Letter on pledging to the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation
3 HS/C/16/1 Provisional agenda for the sixteenth session of the Commission on Human
Settlements
3 HS/C/16/1/Add.1 Annotations to the provisional agenda, including organization of work of
the session: note by the secretariat
4 HS/C/16/2 and Corr.1 1996 Annual report of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements
4 HS/C/16/2/Add.1 and Corr.1 Implementation of the resolutions and decisions of the
Commission on Human Settlements at its fifteenth session: report of the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/2/Add.2 Strategy for the progressive realization of the right to adequate
housing: report of the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/2/Add.3 and Corr.1 Cooperation and coordination with agencies and organizations
within the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations outside the United
Nations system and non-governmental organizations: report of the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/2/Add.4 Evaluation programme of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat): report of the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/2/Add.5 Internal Oversight Activities: report of the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/2/Add.6 Draft resolutions prepared by the Committee of Permanent Representatives
to United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat): note by the secretariat
5 HS/C/16/3 Implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000: report of
the Executive Director
5 HS/C/16/3/Add.1 Fifth draft report of the Commission on Human Settlements to the General
Assembly on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000: note
by the Executive Director
6 HS/C/16/4 and Corr.1 Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II): review of the working methods of the Commission: report of the Executive
Director
6 HS/C/16/5 Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II):
preliminary report on the assessment of UNCHS (Habitat): report of the Secretary-General
6 HS/C/16/6 Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II):
the role of local authorities, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and
other partners in the implementation and monitoring of the Habitat Agenda: report of the
Executive Director
7 (a) HS/C/16/7 and Corr.1 The contribution of the private and non-governmental sectors to
shelter delivery to low-income groups: report of the Executive Director
7 (b) HS/C/16/8 The management of natural resources in the context of human settlements:
report of the Executive Director
8 HS/C/16/9 The rights of the child, particularly with respect to shelter and related
services: report of the Executive Director
9 HS/C/16/10 Medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001: report of the Executive Director
10 HS/C/16/11 and Corr.1 Draft work programme of the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) for the biennium 1998- 1999: report of the Executive Director
11 HS/C/16/12 Proposed budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements
Foundation for the biennium 1998-1999: report of the Executive Director
11 HS/C/16/12/Add.1 Proposed budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements
Foundation for the biennium 1998-1999: report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative
and Budgetary Questions: note by the secretariat
11 HS/C/16/12/Add.2 Financial matters: use of extra-budgetary resources of the United
Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) in the 1996- 1997 period: report of the
Executive Director
11 HS/C/16/12/Add.3 Revised budget proposals prepared pursuant to the recommendations of
the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Question (ACABQ) on the proposed
budget for the biennium 1998-1999: report of the Executive Director
11 HS/C/16/13 Financial and other assistance provided to and among developing countries
for human settlements: report of the Executive Director
12 HS/C/16/14 Joint progress report of the Executive Directors of the United Nations
Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme
12 HS/C/16/15 and Corr.1 Implementation of Agenda 21: report of the Executive Director
12 HS/C/16/16 Coordination matters: matters arising out of the resolutions of major
legislative organs of the United Nations and other intergovernmental bodies which are
brought to the attention of the Commission: report of the Executive Director
13 HS/C/16/17 Themes for the seventeenth and future sessions of the Commission: report of
the Executive Director
14 HS/C/16/18 Other matters
15 HS/C/16/1934 Provisional agenda and other arrangements for the seventeenth session of
the Commission on Human Settlements
12 HS/C/16/CRP.1 Main decisions and resolutions of the General Assembly (fiftieth and
fifty-first sessions), of the Economic and Social Council and of other United Nations
bodies of relevance to the work of the Commission
10 HS/C/16/CRP.2 Draft work programmes of the regional commissions in the field of human
settlements for the biennium 1998-1999: note by the secretariat
11 HS/C/16/CRP.3 United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation: financial report
and audited financial statements for the biennium ended 31 December 1995 and report of the
Board of Auditors: report of the Executive Director
6 HS/C/16/CRP.4 Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II):
note by the secretariat
6 HS/C/16/CRP.5 Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of and follow-up to
the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II): note by the secretariat
4 HS/C/16/CRP.6 Report of the office of internal oversight services on the review of the
programme and administrative practices of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat): note by the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/CRP.7 Assessment of the organization and management of the United Nations Centre
for Human Settlements (Habitat): note by the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/CRP.8 Observations and comments by the Executive Director on the "Report of
the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the review of the programme and
administrative practices of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
(Habitat)" (HS/C/16/CRP.6)
4 HS/C/16/CRP.9 Revitalization action plan for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda:
report of the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/CRP.10 Clarification of the focus, role and composition of the Huairou
Commission: note by the secretariat
3 HS/C/16/INF.1 State of preparedness of documents for the Commission on Human Settlements
at its sixteenth session as at 3 March 1997
3 HS/C/16/INF.2/Rev.1 List of documents before the Commission
4 HS/C/16/INF.3 Operational activities report, 1997: note by the secretariat
4 HS/C/16/INF.4 Activities of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat: note by the
Executive Director
5 HS/C/16/INF.5 An Urbanizing World: Global Report on Human Settlements, 1996: note by the
secretariat
11 HS/C/16/INF.6 and Corr.1 Status of voluntary contributions to the United Nations
Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation and to the second United Nations Conference on
Human Settlements (Habitat II) as at 1 March 1997
6 HS/C/16/INF.7 Changing consumption patterns in human settlements: key results of the
Expert Group Meeting organized by UNCHS (Habitat) in cooperation with the United Nations
Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development in New York on 9 - 11 April
1997: note by the secretariat
12 HS/C/16/INF.8 The UNCHS (Habitat) Indicators Programme: summary of the final report on
phase one (1994-1996) and summary of the programme document for phase two (1997-2001):
note by the secretariat
12 (b) HS/C/16/INF.9 Implementing the urban environment agenda: report to the Commission
on Sustainable Development on city- level operational experience in environmental planning
and management, exchange of know-how, and inter-agency consultation
6 HS/C/16/INF.10 Background note to the preliminary report of the Secretary-General on the
assessment of UNCHS (Habitat): note by the Executive Director
4 HS/C/16/INF.11 List of participants

ANNEX III. Summary of statements
[ Up ]
A. Address by Mr. Wally N'Dow, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Centre for
Human Settlements (Habitat)
1. In his opening address, the Assistant Secretary-General welcomed the President of
Kenya and all Government delegations to the Commission. He thanked the President and
Government of Kenya for their continued support and hoped that their collaboration would
continue. He also welcomed the representatives of the partners at the Commission and noted
that their engagement marked a new beginning in the work of the Commission, the Centre and
the United Nations.
2. Remarking that Istanbul had provided the "sign-posts" for the current
Commission meeting and had presented the opportunity to revitalize the Centre, thereby
enabling it to play a leading role in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, he called
for free and open discussions and hoped that they would lead to agreement and consensus.
He predicted that, in the forthcoming years, the emphasis of development strategies would
increasingly focus on human settlements and that Governments and people would have to use
all their imagination and ingenuity to resolve new challenges fundamental to peace and
security. He called for due consideration to be given to the Habitat Agenda in all
national development plans and international cooperation agendas, and stressed that many
actors, working together, were required to achieve its goals.
3. He noted, in addition, that the recent assessment by OIOS and that jointly conducted
by the Governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, South Africa and Uganda were important
inputs to assessing the functions of the Centre and ways in which it could be
strengthened. He pointed out that the medium-term plan and the new draft work programme
presented the Centre's contributions to implementing the Habitat Agenda and stressed that
UNCHS (Habitat) should become a knowledge centre, based on operational activities on the
ground.
4. He then offered his views on the future role of the Commission and ways in which it
should be strengthened to support the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, highlighting
the importance of the engagement of partners in that process. He stressed that there was a
need to expand the financial base of the Centre and that the recent decentralization of
some of the Centre's units would have to continue in order to provide proximity and direct
support to regional efforts to implement the Habitat Agenda.
5. In closing, he again highlighted the importance of the Habitat Agenda and the
revitalizing of the Centre's operations, and wished the Commission great success in its
deliberations, pledging the full support of UNCHS (Habitat) staff.
B. Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Executive Director, United Nations
Environment Programme
6. The Executive Director highlighted the importance of global ecological
sustainability and community sustainability. Noting that the Earth Summit at Rio had
provided the first opportunity for changing attitudes towards environmental protection,
she regretted, however, that, five years on, consumption and production patterns were
still unsustainable. Those trends were documented in the recently released Global
Environment Outlook report, which also highlighted the key priority areas for sustainable
development, including energy and water.
7. She then turned her attention to the lack of environmental policies to benefit the
urban poor and deplored how little attention was given to the linkages at the national
level between environmental protection and social investment. She reiterated that
virtually all UNEP programmes would play a role in implementing the Habitat Agenda and
drew attention to the synergy between the Habitat Agenda and Agenda 21. She continued by
referring to the importance of community and the need to promote environmental
citizenship, as promoted by UNEP in its Global Environmental Citizenship Programme.
8. In conclusion, she recalled the establishment of UNEP and its 25 years of
achievement and pledged the Programme's support for efforts to implement the Habitat
Agenda. She wished the Commission a most productive session.
C. Statement by H.E. Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya
9. The President extended his welcome to all delegates on behalf of the Government and
people of Kenya. He recalled the enthusiasm of Istanbul and the preparation of the Global
Plan of Action and the Istanbul Declaration and their adoption by the United Nations
General Assembly. He stressed the importance of solidarity and the need for the transfer
of resources, appropriate technology and capacity-building to reinforce national efforts.
It was also vital to strengthen coordination mechanisms in the shelter sector at the
national level and, in addition, particular consideration should be given to rural areas,
where shelter provision was poor. He urged the international community to be responsive to
the plight of communities affected by natural disasters and man-made conflicts.
10. Drawing attention to the crucial role the Centre had played in formulating and
implementing shelter and human settlement policies and in preparing for Habitat II, he
stressed the need to revitalize the Centre with appropriate human and financial resources
to enable it effectively to carry out its mandate, as set forth in the relevant General
Assembly resolutions. In that context, he stated that Kenya would like to see effective
management of the human and financial resources of the Centre and that it was the
Commission's responsibility to address those issues in a manner which would ensure
uninterrupted implementation and monitoring of the Habitat Agenda. He also stressed the
need to ensure that wastes produced from what we consumed did not continue to jeopardize
our environment.
11. In conclusion, he wished the Commission a fruitful session and hoped that delegates
would take the opportunity to tour the country during their visit. He then formally
inaugurated the session.
D. Statement by H.E. Ernesto Samper Pizano, President of the Republic of Colombia
12. In his address to the Commission, the President drew attention to the right to the
city, which was one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity in the twenty-first
century and which should be protected as it affected the dignity of all human beings. In
Latin America, as a consequence of unjust land policies and misuse of public land by
private developers over 40 per cent of people in cities lived in informal settlements,
with little access to urban land and basic services. He therefore stressed that,
aggressive land policies were needed to solve the problem in cities.
13. In view of the growing problem of social exclusion, the source of most conflicts in
the post-cold war world, he deplored the drastic reduction in budgets for social
programmes in the United Nations, while those for peace-keeping operations were being
increased. In his capacity as Chairman of the Movement of Non- Aligned countries, he urged
the United Nations not to cut social programmes in its reform efforts and reaffirmed the
Movement's commitment to housing and environment programmes within the United Nations.

ANNEX IV. Message from the Secretary-General of the United
Nations to the Commission on Human Settlements at its sixteenth session
[ Up ]
It gives me great pleasure to extend my greetings to all the participants assembled in
Nairobi to take part in the sixteenth session of the United Nations Commission on Human
Settlements.
This session, the first held since the second United Nations Conference on Human
Settlements (Habitat II), has special significance, for it marks a new beginning. Habitat
II concluded the series of world conferences held under the auspices of the United Nations
during the course of this decade, which were aimed at rallying peoples and Governments
around a common global vision for sustainable development, peace and progress for all of
humankind in the twenty-first century.
As the United Nations defines its new mission in an era of sweeping global political,
economic and social change, we must recognize that many old problems - war, poverty,
inequality, hunger, lack of shelter, disease, illiteracy and environmental degradation -
continue to blight the prospects of hundreds of millions of people. We need new
approaches, new partnerships that bind together the peoples and States of the United
Nations in common purpose to achieve the fundamental objectives of the Charter, based on
the understanding that in the interdependent world of the twenty-first century, peace and
security cannot be achieved without satisfying the most basic needs and aspirations of
people everywhere.
At Istanbul, the international community took a decisive step in that direction. The
Istanbul Declaration and the conference's plan of action - the Habitat Agenda - provide a
positive vision of sustainable human settlements in the urbanized world of the
twenty-first century, as well as critical guidance for ensuring that all people have
adequate shelter, a healthy and safe environment, basic services and productive and freely
chosen employment. Equally inspiring, the Habitat II Conference deepened the alliance
between State and non-State actors committed to the pursuit of sustainable development,
opening the way for new partnerships between the United Nations and the institutions and
organizations of civil society world-wide.
Taking the first steps towards turning that vision into reality is the task before this
session of the Commission on Human Settlements. You will take important decisions on the
implementation strategy, which will also influence the future modalities of work of the
Commission itself. The record of achievement compiled by the Commission during its many
years of work gives me confidence that this follow-up effort will be every bit as
innovative and productive as was the Habitat II Conference itself. In the expectation that
you will carry forward the "spirit of Istanbul", I offer you my best wishes for
a successful outcome and I look forward to reviewing the recommendations that will emerge
from your deliberations here in Nairobi.
Thank you.

Notes
* The full proceedings of the Commission on the work of its sixteenth session,
containing, inter alia, chapters on the discussions in plenary meetings and in meetings of
the sessional committees, is being circulated to Governments under the symbol HS/C/16/20.
** Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), Istanbul,
3-14 June 1996 (A/CONF.165/14).
1/ Ibid., chap.I, resolution 1, annex II.
2/ General Assembly resolution 43/181 annex.
3/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro,
3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication,
Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II.
4/ Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5-13
September 1994 (A/CONF.171/13 and Add.1), chap. I, resolution 1.
5/ Report of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995
(A/CONF.166/9), chap. I. resolution 1, annex I.
6/ Ibid, annex II.
7/ Report of the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 14- 25 June 1993
(A/CONF.157/24) (Part I) chap. III.
8/ HS/C/16/3.
9/ HS/C/16/3/Add.1.
10/ HS/C/16/3/Add.1, appendix.
11/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), Istanbul
3-14 June 1996 (A/CONF.165/14), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.
12/ HS/C/16/2/Add.2.
13/ HS/C/16/5.
14/ See HS/C/16/INF.2/Rev.2.
15/ HS/C/16/CRP.6.
16/ HS/C/16/CRP.8.
17/ HS/C/16/12/Add.1.
18/ HS/C/16/CRP.3.
19/ HS/C/16/7 and Corr.1.
20/ General Assembly resolution 44/25, annex.
21/ Adopted by 23 votes to 1, with 23 abstentions.
In favour: Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Iran
(Islamic Republic of), Jordan, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Zimbabwe. Against: United
States of America. Abstaining: Belgium, Benin, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Malawi, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, Zambia.
22/ HS/C/16/12/Add.1 and HS/C/16/12/Add.3
23/ HS/C/16/12/Add.1.
24/ HS/C/16/14.
25/ HS/C/16/2/Add.1, section H.
26/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), Istanbul,
3-14 June 1996 (A/CONF.165/14), chap. I resolution 1, annex II, paras. 115-124, 207-208
and 228, respectively.
27/ HS/C/16/6, paras. 5 and 6.
28/ HS/C/16/15 and Corr.1.
29/ A/51/533.
30/ A/51/5/Add.8.
31/ A/51/884, annex.
32/ It should be noted that UNCHS (Habitat) carries a liability of around $600,000 for
communication expenses, of which a part may be payable from the Foundation in 1997.
33/ If additional resources will be mobilized, or obtained through savings, priority
should be given to the payment of services provided by UNON, up to a maximum amount of
$70,000.
34/ Issued in-session as document HS/C/16/L.1/Add.9.