Opening Remarks at the Second 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Session by Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura

Second Session of the UN-Habitat Executive Board
Opening Remarks at the Second 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Session by Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)
4 December 2024 (4 – 6 December 2024)

Representative of the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, and Head of the Delegation of the Republic of Kenya 
Honourable Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Chair of the UN Habitat Executive Board,
Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, UN Habitat Executive Director, 
Members of the Executive Board,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning, and a warm welcome to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the heartbeat of UN operations in Africa and the Global South. It has always been a privilege for UNON to host UN Habitat Executive board meetings in our Gigiri compound. We are therefore delighted this year as part of our tradition to host this second session of your 2024 executive board meeting, a year defined by transformation, resilience, and progress. As we gather towards the close of this year, we reflect on the achievements that have strengthened UN Habitat's Mission, improvements that have enhanced the impact of the UN as a whole and UN Habitat in particular, and the changes that have set the stage for a brighter, more sustainable future.

UNON plays a vital role in supporting UN-Habitat and other UN entities by providing the logistical, administrative, and operational backbone needed to drive forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This collaboration embodies the spirit of multilateralism—a partnership built on shared goals, trust, and a commitment to creating a better urban future for all.

Just weeks ago, we had the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Cairo, organized by UN Habitat and hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt. It was nothing short of historic. With 182 countries represented, over 37,000 registrations, and 25,000 participants, it stood as a testament to the global commitment to urban transformation and the remarkable convening power of UN Habitat.
This extraordinary gathering demonstrated that sustainable urbanization is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality when stakeholders unite with purpose and resolve. As the Head of UNON, I take this opportunity to congratulate UN Habitat on its leadership and vision, which made WUF12 a success.
I also extend my deepest gratitude to the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for its exceptional hospitality, and to all Member States, partners, and participants whose contributions turned this event into a beacon of hope and collaboration for sustainable urban development.

We, at UNON, are committed to continuous improvement in the services we  offer and to providing better infrastructures for offices and meetings, even as we forge ahead with our two major capital projects of office renovations and new build, and the upgrading of our conference facilities also now commonly referred to as the Gigiri Master Plan (GMP). Once the conference upgrade project (GMP) is completed at its target date of 2030, UNON would be poised and looks forward to hosting larger conferences such as the WUF and COPs at its Gigiri complex, here in Nairobi, Kenya.

As we convene here today, we should be reminded of the pressing challenges that continue to shape our collective responsibility and the work of UN Habitat especially. Urban and rural communities worldwide face vulnerabilities that demand urgent and transformative action. The new vision for UN-Habitat emphasizes the critical importance of building resilient human settlements—places where housing, land, and basic services are not just essential components but lifelines that empower millions to thrive.

This vision should be a call to action, urging us to create inclusive, sustainable solutions that address the growing threats of climate change, inequality, and rapid urbanization. Together, we must ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a better urban future.
We are proud that UN-Habitat is charting a bold course for the future, under the leadership of my colleague, friend and sister, Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, with a 2026-2029 Strategic Plan that promises to elevate UN-Habitat’s impact globally. This strategic plan represents more than a roadmap -- it is a pact with the future, grounded in inclusivity, innovation, and the unwavering resolve to leave no one behind.
With the UN-Habitat Assembly in the near horizon in 2025, I urge you to use this moment to redefine collective priorities and align the Agency’s efforts towards addressing the needs of the most vulnerable and fostering communities that thrive across the board, including in environmentally sustainable cities.

I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate UN-Habitat for wholeheartedly embracing the Common Back Office’s streamlined approach. Optimizing resources and enhancing administrative processes inevitably frees more resources that may be channeled to building more sustainable cities and resilient urban spaces, to empower communities and promote social equity.

Allow me to close by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to all Member States, partners, NGO’s and stakeholders who have stayed committed with unwavering support to UN Habitat especially and the UN as a whole.  We urge and encourage you all to continue this support.

Together, let us move forward with hope, determination, and a shared vision for a future where no one is left behind—where cities are not only places of opportunity but also symbols of hope, resilience, equity, and sustainability.

Thank you.