NEW YORK—The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a political declaration today, recommitting countries to the 2016 New Urban Agenda at is mid-term of its implementation (2016–36). The states also warned that rapid urbanization is outpacing progress, as some 3 billion people still lack safe, adequate and affordable housing, over 330 million are homeless and more than 1 billion live in informal settlements.
The declaration passed 148-2, with the United States and Israel voting against it over objection to language on national sovereignty, unilateral economic measures and occupied territories. Several other countries distanced themselves from specific provisions but backed the overall text.
Meeting in the wake of the High-level Political Forum onthe 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, leaders meeting in the UNGA asserted that cities will determine whether the world meets the Sustainable Development Goals as urban populations rise from 58% today to an expected 70% by 2050, amid climate resilience, housing, disaster preparedness and economic inclusion. A high-level mid-term review found global progress is lagging and requires a shift to more financing, stronger local governments and climate-resilient urban planning.
A full summary of today`s meeting is available here.)
The new Political Declaration to Renew Commitment and Accelerate the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda, reaffirming global dedication to sustainable urbanization as a driver of inclusive development. By renewing the New Urban Agenda (NUA) commitments, delegates agreed the next decade must focus on turning promises into results.
Background
The New Urban Agenda was adopted at Habitat III in Quito in 2016, setting out three transformative commitments:
The 2026 political declaration serves as a midterm review and action blueprint for the next decade, aiming to accelerate progress toward the 2036 goal UN-Habitat.
Key Messages and Commitments
The current commitments include:
- Urgency of the housing crisis: The declaration warns that rapid urbanization is outpacing progress, with about 3 billion people lacking safe, adequate, and affordable housing, over 330 million homeless, and more than 1 billion in informal settlements.
- Integration with global goals: It links sustainable urbanization to the 2030 Agenda, SDG 11, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and the Beijing Declaration.
- Focus on vulnerable groups: Explicit recognition of women, children, youth, older persons, and people with disabilities as priority beneficiaries.
- Housing as a driver: Housing is positioned as central to social inclusion, economic opportunity, and resilience.
- Strengthened platforms: Support for the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Adequate Housing to advance practical solutions.
Implementation Challenges
Like in the case of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, this mid-term NUA review found significant shortfalls in the global progress, with gaps in financing, local government capacity, and climate-resilient urban planning. While more countries have adopted housing policies, affordability issues, the expansion of informal settlement coverage, and international cooperation, including overseas direct assistance (ODA) for housing remain insufficient.
In essence, this 2026 recommitment is both a political reaffirmation and a strategic roadmap, urging member states to turn commitment into measurable results in the next decade.
- Download the political declaration, A/80/L.89
- Download New Urban Agenda (all languages)
- Report of the Secretary-General: العربية, 中文, English, Français, Русский, Español
- Concept Note: High-Level Meeting Midterm Review of New Urban Agenda
- Chair’s summary of the ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda held at the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum
Photo: Screenshot of the UNGA voting record on A/80/L.89.
