UN settlements agency to establish special programme in Palestinian territories

The governing body of the United Nations agency dealing with human settlements and the problems of rapid urbanization ended its current session today with an unprecedented move - adopting a resolution which would establish a special Human Settlements Programme in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The text on the Occupied Palestinian Territories will create a programme that would address the difficult housing situation there. It was one of a record number of resolutions adopted today as the Governing Council of the UN Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT) closed out its 19th session in Nairobi.

Overall, the resolution indicates recognition by all parties of the urgent need to resolve the long-term deterioration in human settlements conditions in the occupied territories. It requests UN-HABITAT to establish the programme to improve shelter and basic urban services and urges the donor community to provide $5 million to fund the project's first two years.

Unlike previous resolutions tabled on the territories, this text was adopted by consensus, an important precedent for the agency. "The passing of this resolution signals a sense of optimism especially as shelter and human settlements are key elements in reaching long term sustainable peace in the Middle East," said Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT.

Chief amongst the other texts was a resolution approving a budget of $44.4 million dollars for the UN Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation - an increase of 40 per cent over its last budget and nearly double the budget approved by the 17th session. The Executive Director has also been authorized to commit up to $50.5 million subject to availability of resources. It also approved the Work Programme for 2004-2005, which included the creation of a fourth division to work on human settlements financing.

The resolutions tabled at the Governing Council were designed to improve the UN-HABITAT's capacity to meet the challenges of urbanization. The recommendations were aimed at strengthening the agency's ability to help governments implement the Habitat Agenda and to meet the 2000 Millennium Development Goals, especially those concerned with improving the conditions of slum dwellers and the urban poor in developing countries. Special emphasis also was placed on least developed countries and on handling the specific problems of countries with economies in transition.

In a major step forward, a resolution was passed requesting that gender perspectives be integrated into all UN-HABITAT's activities. Governments were urged to promote the effective participation of women in human settlements planning and development with an emphasis on poor women's right to housing, land and need for secure tenure. This includes access to credit and protection from forced evictions, particularly for women with HIV/AIDS.