HUD releases U.S. 20/20 Habitat III Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro will lead the U.S. delegation to the United Nations (UN) Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador from October 17-20, 2016. The Conference is intended to renew commitment to sustainable urban development, address poverty and identify and address emerging global challenges.
In preparation for the Conference, HUD today also released The U.S. 20/20 Habitat III Report. The report outlines the agency’s work since the previous Habitat II conference 20 years ago, and reflects on the critical themes that will define the U.S. Habitat agenda for the next 20 years. The report focuses on three themes: promoting upward mobility for underserved Americans, expanding employment and educational resources and investing in community institutions. It is the result of nearly two years of significant consultations with federal, state and local partners whose diverse views were captured in the final report.
“In this ‘Century of Cities,’ there is more demand than ever to expand opportunity in urban communities around the world,” said Secretary Castro. “It is an honor to lead the U.S. delegation in Quito as we work with global partners to set a path forward for prosperity, growth and equal opportunity.”
Secretary Castro serves as the co-chair of the U.S. Habitat III National Committee along with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. In May at the United Nations in New York, Secretary Castro convened hearings with mayors from around the world to offer suggestions for the UN Habitat III negotiations. The hearings marked the first time mayors and local governments had the opportunity to directly influence UN negotiations. Read Secretary Castro’s opening remarks at the UN here.
The UN convened the first Habitat conference in 1976 in Vancouver, sparking an international dialogue on urban issues. Twenty years later, at Habitat II in Istanbul, Turkey, world leaders adopted the Habitat Agenda, a global action plan aimed at providing adequate shelter for all. The Habitat III Conference is intended to reinvigorate the global commitment to sustainable urbanization. At Habitat III, participants will develop a “New Urban Agenda,” an action-oriented outcome document that addresses 21st Century challenges and harnesses the tremendous potential of cities to promote sustainable development.
For more information about Habitat III, please visit: https://habitat3.org/.
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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
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