President Uhuru Kenyatta has affirmed Kenya’s continued support to the UN-Habitat-United Nations Human Settlement Program and has urged member states to increase and honour their voluntary contributions to the Human Settlements Foundation. Speaking at the opening of the inaugural UN-Habitat Assembly at Gigiri, Nairobi, President Kenyatta said that Kenya will increase its contribution to the Foundation in the next annual contribution and will participate in the pledging session here more additional contributions will be considered.
The United Nations agency, established in 1978, deals with humans settlements and urban development, “I assure you that Kenya will remain committed to supporting UN-Habitat and its activities and will continue to provide assistance whenever in a position to do so,” said President Kenyatta. He also urged the UN Secretary General to consider increasing budgetary allocations to the agency. He said with the measures and under the stewardship of the director, the success of the Sustainable development Goals will be attainable.
He added that societies aren’t prepared for the rapid urbanization ongoing and as a result, countries have witnessed an increase in slums and informal settlements and urbanization of poverty, “Addressing these challenges calls for collective international action informed by scientific research and technological innovations.” The theme for the Assembly is “Innovation for better quality of life in cities and communities”. Other high-level leaders are expected in the country on Wednesday.