Addis Ababa — The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development, Habitat III, has ended with the adoption of a New Urban Agenda, which will be implemented over the next 20 years.

Speaking at the close of the October 17 - 20 event today (Habitat III) in Quito, Edlam Yemeru - Chief of ECA's Urbanization Section - said the new agenda is expected to guide policies and strategies for sustainable urbanization globally, taking into account existing commitments including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ms. Yemeru added that, "It offers unique opportunities to reinvigorate commitments to promote and advance sustainable urbanization for Africa's structural transformation."

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) played key role in the drafting of the New Urban Agenda and the Common Africa Position, which served as Africa's input to Habitat III and was adopted by heads of state at the AUC Summit in Kigali, July 2016.

A high level dialogue on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda for Africa's structural transformation was organized by ECA and partners (AUC, UN Habitat) as a side event during Habitat III. This event was attended by ministers in charge of housing and urban development from Nigeria, Angola, Chad, Cameroon and Kenya

The dialogue focused on the how countries would use integrated and diverse approaches when implementing the New Urban Agenda in order to address quality urbanization with the participation of local governments, private sector, civil society organizations, women, youth, the family and people with disabilities.

Other critical issues such as strengthening the role of the State, spatial and territorial considerations, land, financing, taxation and skills/ knowledge transfer were also discussed as precursors in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Africa.

Emphasis was placed on building on the successful collaboration that had been garnered in the development of Africa's Common Position towards Habitat III and the need to intensify regional, national and local dialogues to promote and ensure effective implementation. Specific request was made for ECA, AUC, UN Habitat and other stakeholders to support the development and the implementation framework and review mechanism of the New Urban Agenda in Africa.

There was also a Regional Commissions Side Event aimed at consolidating the Regional Commissions' position in the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda. Participants included high level dignitaries and Executive Secretaries from the Regional Commissions.