8-10 October 2025
10:00–18:00
Beirut time
Regional Consultation

ESCWA at the 86th Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management

Location
  • Palais Des Nations, Geneva
Contact information
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ESCWA is attending the eighty-sixth session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management. The session gathers ministers, local authorities, international organizations, and experts to deliberate on housing affordability, sustainable land management, climate action, and the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Committee reviews outcomes from the Ministerial Meeting and the fifth Forum of Mayors, focusing on housing finance, urban resilience, climate governance, and innovative city solutions. Key topics include multi-level governance, nature-based solutions, and incorporating voluntary national and local reviews into policy. ESCWA presents its Quality of Life in Cities initiative with UN-Habitat.

Outcome document

The discussions highlighted that addressing contemporary urban challenges requires closer coordination between local and national levels, supported by data-driven and people-centred frameworks. The Quality of Life in Cities initiative was discussed as a practical entry point for linking housing, services, environment, and wellbeing outcomes. The participation of Arab city leaders in both the Forum of Mayors and the Ministerial Meeting demonstrated the added value of grounding high-level policy discussions in local realities and experiences, while strengthening inter-regional learning and cooperation.

  • Strengthening multilevel governance to address housing affordability, urban resilience, and climate action.
  • Integrating Quality of Life frameworks into urban and housing policies as a tool for people-centred decision-making.
  • Urban resilience and nature-based solutions as responses to climate and environmental challenges.
  • The role of city diplomacy and inter-regional exchange in shaping global urban policy agendas.
  • Enabling the direct participation of city leaders in ministerial-level policy dialogue.

Initiatives: Sustainable urban development

Documents

ESCWA - Shared Prosperity Dignified Life
Our vision

ESCWA, an innovative catalyst for a stable, just and flourishing Arab region.

Our mission

Committed to the 2030 Agenda, ESCWA’s passionate team produces innovative knowledge, fosters regional consensus and delivers transformational policy advice. Together, we work for a sustainable future for all.

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