The Global Stakeholders Forum gathered a
diverse group of more than 200 participants from different regions working on
sustainable development areas and capabilities. The gathering had the goal
ofrecalling the historic and
indispensable role of partners in sustainable human settlement development
since 1976, marking the need forstrong stakeholder engagement in the
implementation of the New Urban Agenda,towards achieving the SDGs and in
the implementation of other global agendas.
Building from the Assembly’s general theme(“Innovation for Better Quality
of Life in Cities and Communities”) the Stakeholder Forum participantscommit
to innovative and more effective cooperation in delivering sustainable
urbanization and development, reaffirming their historic commitment toeradicating all forms of inequality and
barriers to equitable governance and development in human settlements, as
practiced especially against women, female-headed households, youth, children
and other marginalized groups.
Following, we
summarize some of the main points of the document, of which you can read the
full version here.
Approach
- Recognition of the State’s
obligations to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights, in
particular, the full and progressive realization of thehuman right to adequate housing and
habitat-related human rights. - Commitment to work with
Member States, UN-Habitat and other agencies and subnational governments
to establish, operationalize and sustain stakeholder engagement to channel the diverse and many voices
to the UN-Habitat Assembly and other UN-Habitat bodies.
Agreements
- The Stakeholder Engagement
Policy being developed by UN Habitat and Member States should
reflectthe universal values
of equity, openness, equal partnerships, subsidiarity, gender equality,
human rights, accountability and transparency - Engage in collaborative
action to implement the NUA, achieve the SDGs, and fulfil other global
agreements related to habitat. - Endorsement of the
co-creation of policies, programmes, frameworks, monitoring-and-evaluation
efforts related to the global agreements.
Commitments
- Being pro-active in seeking
and imparting information, and using technology, innovative finance, and
other opportunities to use established and new channels of participation. - Sharing deliberations equitably, transparently
and effectively. - Contribute evidence-informed
and practical guidance for policy and implementation.
Expectations
- The realization of cities
for all, referring to the equal use of cities and human settlements
seeking to promote inclusivity and ensure that all inhabitants of present
and future generations without discrimination of any kind. - Cities that are habitable,
safe, healthy, accessible, affordable, resilient cities and human
settlements that foster prosperity and quality of life for all, a vision
that, referred to as “the right to
the city”, is progressively being enshrined by national and local
governments in their legislation, political declarations, and charters. - Adequate support from Member
States and other parties for meaningful stakeholder partnership within UN
Habitat
Steps Forward
- Reformulate stakeholder
roles and responsibilities underpinned by innovative approaches, inclusive
practices and reciprocity among parties - Build on successful, inclusive and diverse
platforms, networks and movements at global, regional, national, and
especially at the local level. - Engage effectively in the
programs and outcomes of the UN Habitat Assembly aligned with the UN
Habitat Strategic Plan 2020–2025. - Welcome the new Stakeholder
Advisory Group Enterprise (SAGE) to advise the UN Habitat Executive
Director on strengthening partnerships for sustainable urban development. - Strengthen and develop the Stakeholder Forum
to implement the principles and commitments of this declaration leading up
to WUF 2020.
The Global
Stakeholder Forum was part of the activities being carried out by HIC-HLRN
during and before the Habitat Assembly in order to pushfor more clarity
and guidance for a rational and consultative approach to stakeholder engagement
concerning UN-Habitat decisions and the implementation of global agendas. You
can read more about it here.
Photo credit: HLRN