United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN–Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development. It was established in 1978 as an outcome of the First UN Conference on Human Settlements and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat I) held in Vancouver, Canada in 1976. It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat work focuses on seven areas:

• Urban Legislation, Land and Governance;
• Urban Planning and Design;
• Urban Economy;
• Urban Basic Services;
• Housing and Slum Upgrading;
• Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation;
• Urban Research and Capacity Development.

Besides being a GLTN Partner, UN-Habitat also plays host to the GLTN Secretariat, whose staff sit in the Land and GLTN Unit in the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of the agency. The Unit leader also serves as the leader of the GLTN Secretariat.