NAIROBI, Kenya — The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has urged governments and stakeholders to put housing at the center of crisis recovery efforts as it hosted the global observance of World Habitat Day 2025 at its headquarters in Nairobi on Monday.
World Habitat Day, designated by the UN General Assembly and marked annually on the first Monday of October, serves as a moment to reflect on the state of human settlements and reaffirm the universal right to adequate shelter.
This year’s theme, “Urban Crisis Response,” highlights the urgent need to tackle growing urban challenges such as forced displacement, climate-related shocks, and limited access to housing, land, and essential services.
More than 260 participants from 48 countries joined the global observance — with 138 attending in Nairobi and others participating virtually. Across the world, celebrations were held in 28 cities across 28 countries, underscoring the global significance of sustainable urbanization.
The event also served as a platform to advance the New Urban Agenda and accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 11, which calls for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.
With two-thirds of the world’s population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, UN-Habitat emphasized that cities must take the lead in climate action and crisis response. From reducing emissions to addressing housing gaps, the agency noted that sustainable cities are key to tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
In his official message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that while cities bear the brunt of global crises, they also hold the solutions.
“In our rapidly urbanizing world, cities often shoulder the impacts of today’s crises. Yet cities are where solutions can take root and grow. When we plan for inclusion, newcomers help to drive economies, strengthen communities, and enrich culture,” he said.
UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach underscored the role of housing in recovery, calling on nations to make it central to their crisis response strategies.
“Every crisis has a human face. Let us put housing at the heart of crisis response globally. Let us invest in cities as places of safety, opportunity, and resilience for all,” she said.
She added that secure and inclusive housing is fundamental in protecting vulnerable populations and rebuilding lives after crises.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome reaffirmed the country’s commitment to UN-Habitat’s mission, noting Kenya’s continued leadership in promoting sustainable urbanization and compassion in addressing displacement.
“This year’s theme, Urban Crisis Response, with its specific focus on urban displacement, is incredibly timely. As a nation that has long demonstrated leadership and compassion in dealing with displacement, we are acutely aware of the complex challenges this crisis presents,” she said.
This year’s observance also looked ahead to the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, scheduled for May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
The 2025 Global Observance programme featured a high-level opening ceremony, the presentation of four UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Awards and one special citation, as well as a multi-stakeholder panel on urban crisis response with representatives from governments, local authorities, and international and non-governmental organizations.
As UN-Habitat marks another year of advocacy, the call is clear — to make housing a cornerstone of crisis recovery, ensuring that cities not only survive global challenges but emerge stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.
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