Latest news with #UN-Habitat
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
India eyes tie-ups for affordable housing research, plans dedicated research centre
New Delhi: Centre is looking to forge global partnerships in research and data analytics to strengthen its affordable housing strategy under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–urban (PMAY-U) and set up a dedicated research centre. Drawing from the experience of the first phase of the scheme the ministry of housing and urban affairs will focus on data compilation and statistical analysis to support interventions from the government for affordable housing and ensuring housing for all, said two people in the know of the developments. The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee for the flagship urban housing scheme, has approved the creation of a research centre for affordable housing as part of PMAY-Urban 2.0 and also suggested study of international experiences in countries like France, Singapore and the Netherlands and consultation with global players including UN Habitat, they said. "The committee observed that data compilation and statistical analysis to understand housing dynamics keeping in view the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' is the need of the hour. It would support housing-related policy interactions at the central and state levels with relevant data and knowledge inputs for better understanding housing related issues especially in the area of affordable housing, according to the committee," said one of the two people mentioned above. The person added that the Centre is focusing on statistical analysis for better implementation of the PMAY (Urban) 2.0. "The committee also suggested consultations with stakeholders like UN-Habitat for cross learnings," the person added. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. Data analytics is considered key for demand analysis in urban planning and UN-Habitat has been a pioneer in the collection of urban indicators data. According to its website, in India, UN-Habitat is devising an integrated and demand-driven approach that combines refining urban planning and design frameworks, providing infrastructure upgrading policy and technical guidance, implementing pilot projects for learning-by-doing and mainstreaming innovations through testing technology solutions to transform India's urban landscape. UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan 2020-2025 emphasizes on increased and secure access to land and adequate and affordable housing. The focus on data analytics gains significance as India's housing for all goal which was initially targeted to be achieved by 2022, is yet to be achieved and the second phase of the PMAY Urban scheme is aimed at providing all-weather houses to people in urban areas including through affordable housing projects and rental housing programmes. The Union cabinet in August last year approved PMAY-U 2.0, under which financial assistance is provided to 10 million urban poor and middle-class families through state government and union territories to build, buy or rent a house at an affordable cost in urban areas in five years. As of 18 June, a total of 709,979 housing units have been sanctioned under PMAY-U 2.0. On 21 July, Mint reported that vacant affordable homes had prompted the Centre to propose a temporary halt on new projects in some cities and submission of new projects under the second phase in those cities. According to data provided by the ministry to Parliament in March, out of the 118 million houses sanctioned under PMAY, about 90 million have been completed and 87.5 million occupied.
Hans India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Severe water crisis grips Kabul, residents urge interim govt to expand supply
Kabul: Afghanistan's capital Kabul is facing one of the worst water crises in its history, affecting the lives of millions of residents in the city, local media reported on Saturday. The recent data revealed that the water levels have declined sharply in central and western parts of the city, according to a report by Afghan media outlet TOLO News. "Everything depends on water. Without it, life becomes extremely difficult. If these petrol stations stop giving water, people will die of hunger and thirst," said Mohammad Agha, a Kabul resident. "Children and women wander day and night with buckets, but there's no water," said another resident. Residents of the city have appealed to the Taliban-led interim government in Afghanistan to address their concerns by expanding water supply infrastructure and digging deeper wells. Earlier on Thursday, the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) in Afghanistan described the water crisis as "unprecedented." The UN agency mentioned that the dramatic drop in water levels in Kabul has impacted nearly six million people, putting them at risk of water scarcity. "Tackling this crisis needs large-scale investment, strong collaboration, & increased public awareness on water use & management. Water is life. Let's act now," the UN agency posted on X. Recently, a report by NGO Mercy Corps found that some households in Kabul spend up to 30 per cent of their income on water, with over two-thirds of them incurring water-related debt. "Groundwater extraction dramatically exceeds natural recharge, and nearly half of the city's boreholes are already dry. Without urgent, coordinated investment, Kabul risks becoming the first modern capital to run dry," the report said. Up to 80 per cent of groundwater is reported as unsafe, containing high levels of sewage, arsenic, and salinity, which pose urgent public health risks. Earlier in March, the UN-Habitat had warned that 21 million people in the country require water, sanitation, and health support. "Major cities like Kandahar, Kabul, and Herat are facing water scarcity because their groundwater is being depleted. The UN, on several occasions, have flagged this and it's very clear that huge-scale investments need to be taken," said Stephanie Loose, the head of UN-Habitat in Afghanistan, stressing that the South Asian nation needs large-scale investments in water infrastructure.
Morocco World
09-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Pushes Urban Climate Finance to the Forefront
Rabat – Chefchaouen led a global call this week as the city urged the international community to fund climate solutions where they matter most. Over two days, July 8 and 9, the Chefchaouen Local Climate Finance Forum brought together more than 60 senior voices from Moroccan institutions, development banks, UN-Habitat, and global city networks. Their goal is to shift climate finance from abstract pledges to practical, on-the-ground support. The event, held in partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) and C40 Cities, offered more than statements of intent – local examples stood as proof of concept. The city's energy-efficient streetlights, food waste projects, and its Vision Chefchaouen 2030 plan reflect what Mayor Mohamed Sefiani described as 'local ambition with global impact', made possible through funding from mechanisms like the World Bank's City Climate Finance Gap Fund. 'Climate action means protecting lives,' said Sefiani, who also serves as a GCoM Regional Ambassador. 'We already act. We lead with what we have. But cities need support. Not symbolic, not distant, real investment that reaches people, improves air, creates jobs, and gives shape to better futures.' The forum followed the UN's recent Financing for Development Conference in Seville and led to the Chefchaouen Call for Climate Action, a clear appeal for stronger ties between local and global actors. The document urged multilateral development banks to work with cities directly and remove barriers that slow progress. Participants pushed for simpler pathways to funding and more trust in local leadership. The gathering also gave weight to the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) agenda, underlining national governments' role in bridging the gap between ambition and capacity. This push for change builds on previous milestones. In April, during the World Bank's Spring Meetings in Washington, development banks joined subnational leaders at a roundtable focused on sustainable investment in cities. For GCoM Co-Managing Director Andy Deacon, Chefchaouen's position felt both symbolic and practical. 'Cities like Chefchaouen move from promise to progress,' he said. 'They make climate goals real. But no city can do it alone. Investment must match ambition, or the best plans stay plans.' The forum also pointed to new tools. A guidance report released this year in Nairobi during the Urbanshift Africa Forum outlined specific measures for national governments to direct more climate finance to subnational levels. This initiative aligns with Morocco's broader climate goals, which prioritize local action, sustainable urban development, and stronger cooperation between national and subnational actors. Tags: climate changeMoroccosustainable energyurban climate
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Call for joint action to advance global green economy
PETALING JAYA: UN-Habitat Assembly president Nga Kor Ming has called for bold, collaborative action to advance the global green economy, including joint international guidelines for green industrial buildings. His proposal during a bilateral meeting in Vienna recently with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) director-general Gerd Muller seeks to establish shared sustainability standards ahead of the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2025. Nga, who is also Housing and Local Government minister, said guidelines would be developed under a partnership between UN-Habitat and Unido, with each organisation playing a distinct role. 'Under this framework, UN-Habitat will advocate the adoption of green building standards among local councils globally, while Unido will act as the accrediting body for qualifying industrial buildings.' The goal is to cut emissions from industrial developments and promote low-carbon industrial parks worldwide. Nga emphasised the need for sustainable development that delivers real-world benefits like job creation and inclusive economic growth, especially in rural areas. 'Unido has a vital role in this transformation, particularly in the circular economy, green manufacturing and agro-industries. The time to act is now. We must create jobs, empower local councils and ensure that our progress is built on innovation and measurable results.' A joint agreement to reactivate the MoU signed between Unido and UN-Habitat in 2017, with renewed focus on climate-resilient development and rural council empowerment was taken at the meeting. Nga, accompanied by Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif and Malaysia's Ambassador to Austria and Slovakia Ikram Mohammad Ibrahim, also paid a courtesy call on the Lord Mayor of Vienna Dr Michael Ludwig. Nga congratulated Ludwig on his re-election and commended Vienna's achievement of being named the world's most liveable city for three consecutive years, a feat he attributed to strong leadership and smart urban planning. 'Vienna's urban success story proves that with vision and good governance, heritage and innovation can thrive side by side. 'As UN-Habitat Assembly president, I look forward to bringing these insights home and inspiring transformative change,' said Nga. During the 14th Mayors Forum at the WCS 2025 in Vienna, Austria on Thursday, Nga called for stronger international collaboration anchored in local action, emphasising that city-to-city cooperation must move beyond dialogue and translate into concrete, results-driven partnerships with clear timelines. 'We must institutionalise knowledge-sharing and back our intentions with innovation funding, technical hubs and measurable outcomes.' Nga proposed three key mechanisms for this, including joint innovation funds for shared urban challenges, regional hubs to address common issues and standardised metrics to track citywide progress globally. He said these strategies are drawn from Malaysia's own experience and supported by platforms such as the Malaysia SDG Cities Roadmap, Asean Smart Cities Network and the Asia-Pacific New Urban Agenda Platform to encourage knowledge sharing and scalable solutions. Highlighting global best practices, Nga cited transformative urban innovations such as Barcelona's Superblocks, Yokohama's Zero Waste policy and Curitiba's Bus Rapid Transit system. Following his visit to Seestadt Aspern, Vienna's flagship smart district, Nga praised the city's long-term planning, heritage preservation and people-centric design.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia explores global guidelines for low-carbon industrial parks:
VIENNA: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, serving as UN-Habitat assembly president, has urged innovative strategies for a green economy. During the World Cities Summit 2025, here, he met with UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller to discuss joint efforts in developing low-carbon industrial parks. The minister proposed an international framework where UN-Habitat promotes green building standards globally, while UNIDO certifies compliance. This initiative aims to cut industrial carbon emissions and foster sustainable urban growth. Müller welcomed the proposal, signaling potential collaboration. Nga emphasised that sustainable development must balance economic growth and job creation. 'UNIDO's expertise in circular economies and green manufacturing is vital for this transformation,' he said. Both parties agreed to revive a 2017 MoU to strengthen climate-resilient projects, particularly in rural areas. In a separate engagement, Nga met Vienna's Lord Mayor Dr Michael Ludwig, praising the city's three-time ranking as the world's most liveable. The Malaysian delegation, including Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, toured Vienna's smart district, Seestadt Aspern, to study its integration of technology and heritage preservation. 'Vienna's model shows that innovation and history can coexist,' Nga noted, pledging to share these insights with UN-Habitat's 193 member states.
