Online Reporter
Miriam Chigonde in NAIROBI, Kenya
Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda has urged development partners to prioritise equitable support for nations in the Global South, underscoring the necessity to integrate climate resilience into housing strategies.
Speaking at the two-day UN-Habitat Executive Board’s third session held in Nairobi that ended yesterday, Minister Soda also reiterated Zimbabwe’s readiness to host a UN-Habitat regional or country office, demonstrating the country’s commitment to collaborative solutions that leave no one behind.
Zimbabwe has solidified its position on the international stage by actively participating in the meeting.
Representing the interests of its citizens among 35 other member States, Zimbabwe’s involvement underlined the country’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues surrounding adequate housing and urban development.
Minister Soda praised the UN-Habitat for establishing a platform dedicated to adequate housing.
He also congratulated Somalia and Azerbaijan on their election as co-Chairs of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Adequate Housing for all for 2025-2026.
Minister Soda also highlighted Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to provide affordable housing through public-private partnerships and community-led initiatives, while recognising challenges such as limited financing and data management.
Further, he strongly emphasised Zimbabwe’s support for a global housing data platform, which would enable tracking of progress and exchange of best practices.
The Open-Ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group presented important reports showcasing contributions from 83 experts across 44 States, including Zimbabwe.
These inputs focused on crucial areas such as finance and tenure, informing the drafting of preliminary policy recommendations that recognise housing as a fundamental human right.
This session marked Zimbabwe’s second appearance on the Board since its election during the UN-Habitat Assembly session on May 29 to 30. Serving a term from 2025 to 2029, Zimbabwe is poised to play a significant role in shaping the agenda for sustainable urbanisation, particularly in the Global South.
In her opening remarks, UN-Habitat executive director Ms Anacláudia Rossbach stressed the urgent need for “sustainable urbanisation in the Global South”.
With rapid urban growth presenting serious challenges such as the proliferation of informal settlements, poverty and inadequate access to basic services, Ms Rossbach’s message resonated with Zimbabwe’s call for enhanced support from UN-Habitat.
During the session, the Executive Board made pivotal decisions, including the adoption of UN-Habitat’s 2026 work programme and budget, as well as updates to the organisational structure for the upcoming strategic plan period.
These initiatives serve as vital steps towards addressing the global housing crisis, a challenge that affects nearly three billion people worldwide.
Member States and non-governmental organisations endorsed the recommendations and called for strengthened institutional frameworks and increased financing to implement the “Adequate Housing for All” initiative.
Mr Eduardo Zaqueu, who represented the Africa Group, highlighted the critical need for adequate funding to support the organisation’s mandate, noting that Africa remains under-represented in global contributions despite its significant needs.
He called for immediate action to address the chronic underfunding affecting essential areas such as urban planning and capacity-building.
As Zimbabwe continues to assert its influence within the UN-Habitat framework and prepares to bid for a country office in Harare, the nation remains resolute in its commitment to advancing housing rights and sustainable urban development.
This determination is seen by experts as not only reflecting Zimbabwe’s aspirations, but also its readiness to lead in addressing the global housing challenge.
