Atiqah Zailani

UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for developing urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and human settlements. Cities are facing unprecedented demographic, environmental, economic, and social challenges. There has been a phenomenal shift towards urbanization, with half of the world's population living in cities now. By 2050, almost 70 percent of people will reside in cities. This urban growth will be happening mainly in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In the absence of effective urban planning, the consequences of this rapid urbanization will be dramatic. In many places around the world, the effects can already be felt: lack of proper housing, inadequate and outdated infrastructure – be it roads, public transport, water, sanitation, or electricity – escalating poverty and unemployment, safety and crime problems, pollution and health issues, as well as poorly managed natural or man-made disasters and other catastrophes due to the effects of climate change. Urban policies and approaches need to change to turn this rapid urbanization into opportunities to create a better quality of life for people. UN-Habitat is at the helm of that change, assuming a natural leadership and catalytic role in urban matters. Mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1978 to address the issues of urban growth, it is a leading institution of sustainable urban development.