The Twenty-sixth session of the Governing Council of UNHABITAT

Theme:  ‘Opportunities for the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda’


The twenty-sixth session of the Governing Council of UN-Habitat will take place from 8 – 12 May 2017, at the United Nations Offices in Nairobi, Kenya. This session of the Governing Council follows the adoption of the New Urban Agenda during the Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador in October 2016.

Participation in the Governing Council is open to all Member States and relevant stakeholders, including parliamentarians, civil society organizations, local authorities, professionals and researchers, academia, foundations, women and youth groups, trade unions, indigenous peoples organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector; as well as organizations of the United Nations system and Intergovernmental Organizations.

The twenty-sixth session, as has been the case in the past sessions, will mostly comprise of a plenary divided in to: a. high-level for the first and second days and b. a dialogue of Governments with local authorities and other stakeholders to be held on the third day, based upon a theme selected by the Bureau of the Governing Council. This is in addition to the sessional committees that may be established by the Governing Council.

Sub-themes:

  • Sub-theme 1: ‘Towards inclusive, sustainable and adequate housing for a better future’
  • Sub-theme 2: ‘Synergies and financing for sustainable urbanization’
  • Sub-theme 3: ‘Integrated human settlements planning for sustainable urbanization’
Other key issues to be discussed include:
  1. The activities of UN-Habitat, including coordination matters
  2. Review of the Outcome of Habitat III)
  3. The work programme and budget of UN-Habitat for the biennium 2018-2019;

Important deadlines

  • ACCREDITATION : CLOSED!
  • CALL FOR SIDE EVENTS: CLOSED.
  • ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON 27 APRIL 2017.

Exhibition space

More information on GC26 website : www.unhabitat.org/gc26