Nigeria Calls for Innovation, Global Unity to Tackle Urban Challenges Amid Shifting World Order

Nairobi, Kenya – March 25, 2025 – Nigeria today called for innovative solutions and strengthened international cooperation to address urgent urban development challenges during the opening session of the first session of the 2025 UN-Habitat Executive Board meeting in Nairobi. 

Speaking on behalf of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Nigeria's Minister of Housing and Urban Development and current Chair of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, emphasized the critical need for collective action as global geopolitical and economic shifts threaten progress on sustainable urbanization.

Dr. Belgore stressed that the current session convenes at a key moment for urban development worldwide. "As the world undergoes fundamental changes, we must reimagine how UN-Habitat operates to remain effective in delivering sustainable urban development for all," he stated. This meeting comes at a time when developing nations face disproportionate impacts from climate change and economic instability, even as 68% of the world's population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050 according to UN data.

"Let us seize this moment to redefine urban development for our generation and those to come. The cities we build today will determine the future we share tomorrow,” Belgore said.

Hon. Alice Wahome, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, echoed these concerns, warning that current urbanization trends are pushing infrastructure and environmental systems to their limits.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach presented sobering statistics, revealing that only 12% of Sustainable Development Goal targets remain on track, while over 30% have stalled or regressed. She stated that the World faces significant challenges, including 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements, 300 million experiencing homelessness globally, and a $5 trillion annual financing gap for urban development.

The UN Executive Board Meeting sets the stage for the UN Habitat General Assembly in May, where members will adopt a new Strategic Plan and elect leadership.