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UN System Documentation

UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

Secretary-General António Guterres (right) swears in Anacláudia Marinheiro Centeno Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). UN Photo UN71062672

UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

  • Established by A/RES/32/162 of 19 Dec. 1977 as UN Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)
  • A/RES/56/206 of 21 Dec. 2001 changed named, mandate and governing body
  • A/RES/73/239 of 20 Dec. 2018 reviewed the governance structure and replaced the Governing Council with the UN-Habitat Assembly, added the Executive Board and gave new role to the Committee of Permanent Representatives
  • Governing bodies
    • 2019-present, UN-Habitat Assembly
      • Document symbol for working documents: HSP/HA/session/--
      • Convenes every 4 years in Nairobi
      • All UN Member States are members of the Assembly
    • 2019-present, Executive Board
      • Document symbol for working documents: HSP/EB/session/--
      • 36 Member States elected by the UN-Habitat Assembly
      • Convenes 3 times a year
    • 2001-2018, Governing Council
      • Document symbol for working documents: HSP/GC/session/--
      • Met every other year, usually in Nairobi
    • 1977-2001, Commission on Human Settlements
      • Document symbol for working documents: HS/C/--
    • Sessional report
  • Flagship publications
  • Executive Directors
    • 2024-: Anacláudia Marinheiro Centeno Rossbach (Brazil)
      • Press release SG/A/2297 [2024]
    • 2024: Michal Mlynár (Slovakia) (Acting)
    • 2018-2024: Maimunah Mohd Sharif (Malaysia)
      • Press release SG/A/1778-BIO/5051-HAB/244 [2017], SG/A/2093 [2022]
    • 2010-2017: Joan Clos (Spain)
      • Press release GA/10972 [2010], A/64/897 (17 Aug. 2010)
    • 2000-2010: Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka (Tanzania)
      • Press release SG/A/739-HAB/164 [2000], A/56/111 (22 July 2002), Press release SG/A/809-BIO/3430-HAB/181 [2002], Press release GA/10036 [2002]; re-elected: Press release GA/10479 [2006]
    • 1998-2000: USG Klaus Töpfer (Germany) (Acting)
      • Press release SG/SM/6460-HAB/149
    • 1997-1998: ASG Darshan Johal (Canada) (Acting)
    • 1994-1996: ASG Wally N'Dow (Gambia)
      • DPI/1791, Press release SG/A/565 [1994]
    • 1993: USG Elizabeth Dowdeswell (Canada) (Officer-in-Charge)
    • 1978-1992: USG Arcot Ramachandran (India)
      • Press release SG/A/212-BIO/1510-HAB/7 [1978]