FORUM: "Urban Crisis Response.'' World Habitat Day 2025. An increasing number of people are driven from their homes by crises such as conflict, political
instability, climate change and economic hardship. A record 122 million people are forcibly
displaced1
. In an increasingly urbanizing world, displacement is becoming an urban
phenomenon. Over 60% of internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrants are seeking
refuge in cities, putting pressure on local systems. This is accelerating urban growth while
changing territories significantly.
This makes urban crisis response and urban displacement a timely focus for World Habitat Day.
The day will highlight sustainable, scalable, and transformative solutions to urban displacement
that help stabilize populations while promoting prosperity and fostering social cohesion for all.
It will put the spotlight on the importance of urban and territorial planning, inclusive urban
governance and the role of local governments in sustainable solutions for displacement.
MOVING FROM ACUTE CRISIS RESPONSE TO SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: A humanitarian response that fails to integrate development approaches early, risks prolonging the crisis
and aid dependency. There is an urgent need to pivot earlier towards development- and government-led
solutions in dealing with displacement situations for more durable outcomes.
To effectively transition to
sustainable urban solutions and promote self-reliance, three approaches are key:
First, inclusive approaches to urban and territorial development with social cohesion at the center are key to
addressing the needs of both host communities and the displaced. In line with SDG 11 and the New Urban
Agenda, inclusive urban planning and urban governance are essential tools to facilitate social cohesion and
integration of displacement of affected communities.
Second, sustainable solutions also need to ensure access to adequate housing, land, and basic services.
Displaced populations and host communities, particularly the urban poor, often face acute challenges in
access to adequate housing, basic services, and economic opportunities. The ever-worsening global
housing crisis exacerbates these challenges, as it strains already limited resources. The influx of more
displaced persons strains urban systems even more, and if unplanned, further fuels informal settlements
and slums where 1.1 billion people already reside globally. Third, Mayors and local governments have demonstrated over and over again that they can
drive solutions, working closely with the displacement of affected communities in all their
diversity. Their leadership is key to ensure social cohesion as a prerequisite for inclusive growth
and stability. Enhancing multi-level governance, building local governments’ capacity, and
ensuring enabling legal and policy instruments, along with comprehensive financing solutions,
are critical in achieving long-term solutions for both host and displaced communities and
provides them with access to adequate housing. The World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. Follow the converstions with the hashtags: #WorldHabitatDay, #UrbanOctober, #urbancrisisresponse, #Right2Housing, #MindtheGap, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #adequatehousing.
In our rapidly urbanising world, cities often shoulder the impacts of today’s crises. Conflict, political instability, and the climate emergency have forced 123 million people from their homes – most seeking safety in cities and towns already under pressure. About one in eight people live in informal settlements, and more than 300 million have no home at all. Health services, water systems, and transport networks are stretched, while the risks of new disasters loom. 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. On this World Habitat Day, we shine a light on solutions, from better housing, to land rights, to water and sanitation. We recognise the vital leadership of mayors and local governments, and the resilience of urban communities –– especially women and youth. Most of all, we seek to share the innovations that help guarantee access for the most vulnerable –– including people with disabilities, older persons, and children. A city is more than bricks and mortar. It is the promise of home. Together, let’s build stronger cities that ensure safety and belonging for all.
United Nations Secretary-General.
Every crisis has a human face.
A family forced to flee their home.
A child studying in a refugee camp.
A community living without water or electricity.
Today, crises are unfolding in our cities. Conflict, instability, and climate change are pushing millions
into displacement. In 2024, a record 123 million people were forced from their homes – most of them
seeking safety in cities that are already under strain.
At the same time, nearly 3 billion people suffer from inadequate housing, and more than 1.1 billion live
in informal settlements and slums.
But crisis does not have to mean despair.
At UN-Habitat, we have seen communities rise again when housing, land, and basic services are
prioritized. In Iraq, displaced families have regained homes and stability. In Somalia, improved access
to land has brought hope to the marginalized. In Lebanon, inclusive upgrading has turned divided
neighbourhoods into united communities.
These stories remind us that rebuilding homes is about more than bricks and mortar. It is about
dignity. It is about hope.
On this World Habitat Day, I call on all of us – governments, partners, and communities – to act with
urgency.
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.
In May 2026, at the World Urban Forum in Baku, we will come together under the theme Housing the
world: Safe and resilient cities and communities. Let us bring solutions. Let us drive action.
Because when we rebuild homes, we rebuild hope.
Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
Opening Statement by Hon. Alice Wahome, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, during the Global Observance of World Habitat Day held on Monday, 6th October 2025 at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
AGENDA PROGRAMME
Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2025
Monday, 6 October.
HIGH-LEVEL OPENING CEREMONY
LOCATION Conference Room 4
09:30 – 10:00
Opening address by Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat
Message from Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General read by
Mr. Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya
Video message from Hon. Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government
and President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly
Video message by Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment
Programme, UNEP
Welcome address by Ag. Secretary Eng. Byron Buyu, Secretary for Urban and
Metropolitan Development, Government of Kenya
Welcome address by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and
Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat
World Habitat Day 2025 video.
UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOR AWARDS
AND SPECIAL CITATION
10:00 – 10:30
Introduction by Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat
Award ceremony
1. Ms. Jana Haidar representing Public Works Studio - Beirut, Lebanon
2. Mr. José Afonso representing Just a Change - Lisboa, Portugal
3. Mr. Israel Smart - Jos Plateau, Nigeria
4. Ms. Clara Marina - Brugada Molina, Mexico received by Ms. Rocío Lombera
5. Special Citation: Gangwon State (IUTC), Republic of Korea received by
H.E. Mr. Kang Hyung-shik, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the
Republic of Korea to Kenya
Statements by recipients of UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Awards and Special Citations
Closure of the session by Master of Ceremony
Group photo.
HIGH-LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION
10:30 – 12:00
Introduction by Master of Ceremony, Mr. Filiep Decorte, Chief, Programme
Development Branch, UN-Habitat
Video message from Ms. Paula Betancur, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human
Rights of Internally Displaced Persons
Video message from Mr. Filipo Grandhi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
UNHCR
Statement by Ms. Maymuchka Lauriston, Head of Office - East Africa Multicountry
Office, OHCHR
Panelists:
1. Ms. Jana Haidar, Public Works Studio, Lebanon
2. Ms. Beatriz Eraso Puig, Senior Urban Specialist at World Bank, Kenya
3. Ms. Madina Mahboobi, Founder of Vision Development Organization, Afghanistan
4. Mr. Kitoga Amuri Kilonzo, Executive Director of Unity Sending Peace to All Tribes,
Kenya
Live Questions and Answers segment
Wrap up
CLOSING CEREMONY
12:00 – 12:30
Closing session by the Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat
Closing remarks by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and
Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat
Group photo.
Download the agenda programme.
LIVESTREAM: Meetings & Events
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