Nairobi, 11 May 2021 - UN-Habitat has released its 2020 Annual Report highlighting achievements and lessons learned during the year in promoting sustainable urbanization in a rapidly changing world. The Report comes at the end of the first year of the implementation of UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2020 - 2023 and its new organizational structure. The Strategic Plan features an impact-focused approach targeting sustainable progress in urban poverty, prosperity, climate action and crisis prevention.

“This Annual Report is a testimony to the energy that UN-Habitat has deployed to protect the People and the Planet, enhance urban Prosperity and, as a result, preserve Peace.” says Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat in her foreword to the 2020 Annual Report. “Ground in Partnership, UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan is fully contributing to these “5 Ps” that shape the Sustainable Development Goals and global progress to Agenda 2030.”

During the year, UN-Habitat faced key challenges such as the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Director launched a corporate-wide emergency response to mobilize resources for emergency programming while ensuring its duty of care to staff and business continuity at headquarters and all field offices. This included leveraging USD 1.3 million for quick impact projects in 13 countries. UN-Habitat’s technical assistance during the emergency response phase helped local officials adapt public health directives to improve conditions in informal settlements.

In 2020, Member States approved UN-Habitat’s resource mobilization strategy aimed at building a strong and diversified donor base for predictable funding and long-term partnership. The 2020 Annual Report outlines the financial performance of UN-Habitat and the different funding sources.

The Report demonstrates how UN-Habitat continues to play its vital role as a global catalyst for sustainable urbanization, a convener of excellence and a leader in normative work. The Annual report summarizes the advocacy efforts undertaken to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It also highlights the new strategic partnerships formed with national and local governments, United Nations entities, and civil society. The report is available here. For more information contact unhabitat-info@un.org.