Nairobi: The Executive Director of the United Nations for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat), Anacl¡udia Rossbach, acknowledged the efforts of the Angolan Executive in implementing public policies aimed at constructing social housing. This recognition came at the end of a meeting held with the Angolan Minister of Public Works, Urbanism and Housing, Carlos dos Santos.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General highlighted Angola's strong experience in promoting well-located, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable housing. These combinations, she noted, could generate opportunities for local economic development. Anacl¡udia Rossbach also recalled the current global housing crisis, emphasizing UN-Habitat's focus on promoting access to housing, land, and basic services to transform precarious settlements. She projected that by 2050, 70% of the world's population is expected to live in cities.

In response, Minister Carlos dos Santos described the meeting as fruitful, particularly due to the assurance of institutional support from UN-Habitat in implementing the National Policy on Spatial Planning and Urbanism. He also mentioned the forthcoming reopening of the UN-Habitat office in Angola, which is expected to enhance technical assistance and funding for ongoing programs, a topic that was significant during the meeting.

The Minister leads a delegation participating in the 2nd Session of the United Nations Human Settlements Assembly, scheduled from the 29th to the 30th of this month in Nairobi. The Angolan delegation includes officials from the ministries of Public Works, Urbanism and Housing, as well as Foreign Affairs.

The assembly will focus on themes such as the continuous promotion of adequate housing, the Sustainable Development Goals, urban crises, practical long-term solutions, and other sector-impacting issues. During the event, Member States are anticipated to approve the Programme's Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2029, aiming to ensure adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, with the goal of transforming slums.

Angola is one of the 36 member states of the Executive Board of UN-HABITAT, a specialized UN agency, established in 1978, which aims to promote more socially and environmentally sustainable cities, with the aim of promoting adequate shelter conditions for their residents.