Nairobi — The United Nations has turned the spotlight on Angola by asking the country's authorities to commit 10 per cent of its oil income to upgrade its towns, cities and villages "as a sign of respect for human rights of all."

UN-Habitat executive director Anna Tibaijuka told Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos during the global celebration of this year's World Habitat Day held in Angola's capital Luanda on October 6, that such a move would greatly benefit the country, especially the poorest of the poor.

However, she praised Angolan authorities for using the occasion of World Habitat Day to announce a series of important social housing initiatives.

During the celebrations, Angola announced it would give priority to the delivery of social housing and basic services, like water and energy.

In her address, Mrs Tibaijuka pledged UN-Habitat's support for the new Angola Slum Upgrading Programme and the new National Social Housing Programme.

The rehabilitation programme, she said, would ensure there is equity, fairness and full respect for human rights, especially for poor urban slum dwellers.

"I believe it will also take into account the special challenges and needs of women, and the children they support," she said.

This year's World Habitat Day comes at a time of a global financial crisis in the developed world, including the United States.

However, it has also come with the good news of China's exemplary urban modernisation plan.

"We in the United Nations system have a responsibility to remind all countries, whether rich or poor, that they are not immune from the impacts of poverty. And that is why, as we all worry how the global financial crisis will hit us as ordinary people, we must remind all again that investment in basic urban services and adequate shelter is essential. When we get it right we derive economic, social and health benefits for all," she added.

It is estimated that 85 per cent of the Angolan population representing some 7.5 million of the country's growing number of urban dwellers live in slum conditions.

According to the UN, Angola, a country rich in natural resources, especially oil, has the means to address the housing and sanitation needs in the country.

And with the civil war behind it, Angola is now viewed as a country that has earned its rightful place as one at peace.

Mrs Tibaijuka told President dos Santos: "Let me make a proposal for your consideration: Make this day historic by allocating just 10 per cent of the country's oil revenue for the delivery of harmonious cities and towns in this country."

In response, President dos Santos said his government had committed itself to providing some one million housing units in the current four-year-term, and that it was waging what he called a sustained war against chaotic urbanisation.

He also agreed with the UN-Habitat request that the government set aside 10 per cent of its oil income for social housing.

"Urbanisation comes with challenges but we are prepared to face them," he said.

In UN-Habitat's home country, Kenyans celebrated World Habitat Day against the backdrop of traditional displays of bull fighting teams in Kakamega in Western Province.