Resumed Session of the Second UN-Habitat Assembly. Draft Statement for and on behalf of the members of the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative
My name is Steven Oundo, President of the Commonwealth Association of Architects, and I am grateful for this opportunity to present a short statement on behalf of the members of the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI).
The members of the CSCI are accredited Commonwealth organisations representing academia, the built environment professions (architects engineers and planners) and local government, working in close collaboration with the Government of Rwanda and The King’s Foundation and with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and UNHabitat.
Recognising that Commonwealth countries are forecast to account for nearly 50% of the projected growth in the worlds urban population to 2050, the members of the CSCI came together in recognition of the fact that the complex nature and scale of the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and climate change can only be effectively addressed by means of a multi-level, multi-sector, multi- discipline collaboration
We were therefore delighted when Commonwealth Member States adopted the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation at the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda Commonwealth Member States subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to the Declaration in 2024 at which time they also acknowledged the collaboration with the CSCI.
The members of the CSCI are now focusing on implementation of the Declaration, and are convening a broad coalition of partners to ensure impact. The CSCI would like to endorse the draft UN- Habitat Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, especially the promotion of such multi-level, multi-sector collaborations and we look forward to working together towards our shared objectives.
Only by building such transformative partnerships and working in a more systematic and methodical manner can we hope to address the nature and scale of the urban social, economic and environmental challenges to achieve cities and human settlements which are liveable for all. Thank you.
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To be delivered in person to the Assembly by CAA President Steven Oundo, 29 May 2025
Date last updated: 23 May 2025, rev A