By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Nigeria has called for collective action as global geopolitical and economic shifts threaten progress on sustainable urbanization.
The call was made
during the opening session of the first session of the 2025 UN-Habitat Executive Board meeting in Nairobi.
This was contained in a statement signed and issued by SA Media & Strategy to Hon. Minister, of Housing, Mark Chieshe.
The Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development and current Chair of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, stated that the need for innovative solutions that will strengthened international cooperation to address urgent urban development challenges .
Dangiwa represented by Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, stated that as the world undergoes fundamental changes, we must reimagine how UN-Habitat operates to remain effective in delivering sustainable urban development for all,”
“This meeting comes at a time when developing nations face disproportionate impacts from climate change and economic instability, even as 68% of the world’s population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050 according to UN data”.
He said “Let us seize this moment to redefine urban development for our generation and those to come. The cities we build today will determine the future we share tomorrow”.
Also, speaking Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
Hon. Alice Wahome,expressed concerns, warning that the current urbanization trends are pushing infrastructure and environmental systems to their limits.
UN-Habitat Executive Director Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach presented sobering statistics, revealing that only 12% of Sustainable Development Goal targets remain on track, while over 30% have stalled or regressed.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
