HE the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit will head Qatar’s delegation to the United Nations (UN) Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), to be held in Quito, Ecuador, from today until October 20.
Habitat III aims to reinvigorate political commitment to sustainable urban development, assess accomplishments to date, address poverty and identify new and emerging challenges facing sustainable urban development.
The significance of the conference – held every 20 years – lies in bringing countries together to discuss the future of housing and urbanisation, as it is held in parallel with the start of implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, which is a comprehensive plan for all states aimed at achieving peace, prosperity and dignity, and providing opportunities for all people to enjoy good health, according to a statement.
During the conference, the member states are expected to adopt a new programme that includes global standards for sustainable urban development and planning, building and managing cities in order to eliminate squatter areas in many countries around the world.
