How to develop a multi-stakeholder social contract for effective delivery of the New Urban Agenda and the SDGs
Monday, 5 June 2023, 18:15 – 19:15
Nairobi, UNON Gigiri, Conference Room 7
Summary
The need for inclusive, effective, and meaningful multi-stakeholder engagement as integral to successful
outcomes is agreed in principle. However, very little work has been done in developing a concrete framework of
identifying principles, priorities, processes, partners, and platforms for operationalising authentic multilateralism,
the overarching theme of the second UN Habitat Assembly. While there have been several practices and
innovations within UN Habitat and among partners, there is a need to bring together key players to arrive at a
workable consensus on moving forward towards deliverable and measurable impact. The event will draw on key
UN Habitat documents and practices, the Declaration of the First Global Stakeholder Forum on A New Social
Compact for the New Urban Agenda, a successful side event at the last UNHA on SDGs and New Urban Agenda,
and the draft UN Habitat Stakeholder policy and UN system wide innovations following the UN Secretary General`s
call for a new social contract. In addition to an appraisal of significant new thinking, there has been greater
development of strategic partnerships in the implementation of Sustainable Urban Agenda (especially SDG 11).
This Side Event is intended to complement the wider discussions at the Second Global Stakeholder forum, and to
feed into the UN Habitat Assembly proceedings and serve as preparation for upcoming events such as HLPF and
WUF 12.
The meeting is organised by the University of East London, a long-standing UN Habitat partner that has carried
out recent NIHR funded research and application on creating a new social contract in tandem with the local
authorities in Newham, London. The event is co-organised by Huairiou commission, grassroots women`s
organisation; Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) a leading Africa urban partner; Habitat
International Coalition, (HIC) and Housing Rights Land Network (HRLN); and the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN).
Thus, the event will hear the expertise and authentic perspectives of diverse stakeholders towards common
objectives:
1. To bring together all relevant and diverse stakeholders to deliberate and dialogue on inclusive and
effective multi-stakeholder participation in fulfilling SDGs and NUA targets.
2. To provide a better understanding of how the UN Habitat Stakeholder Engagement Policy and
Mechanism could be put into practice in a manner that captures the potential and perspectives of
stakeholders.
3. To consider best practices that inform the framework of a new social contract for sustainable urban
development.
#UNHA2
5 to 9 June 2023
Achieving SDGs in times of global crises
https://unhabitat.org/governance/un-habitatassembly/second-session-2023
Organizer(s)
University of East London, United Kingdom / Huairou Commission, USA / Namibia Institute of Science and
Technology, Namibia / Habitat International Coalition, Egypt / Global Land Tool Network, Kenya / Civil Society
Urban Development Platform, Kenya
Moderator
Professor M Siraj Sait, Director, Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity, University of East London, United
Kingdom; Co-chair, UN-Habitat Stakeholder Advisory Group Enterprise (SAGE), Kenya
Speaker(s)
Mr Robert Lewis-Lettington, Chief, UN-Habitat Urban Legislation Unit & Global Land Tool Network, Kenya
Ms. Dy Currie, Co-chair, UN-Habitat Stakeholder Advisory Group Enterprise (SAGE), Australia
Dr. Shampa Roy-Mukherjee, Dean, Royal Docks School of Business and Law, University of East London, United Kingdom
Mr. Joseph Schechla, Director, Habitat International Coalition & Housing Rights Land Network, Egypt
Ms. Mino Ramarosan, Africa Regional Coordinator, Huairou Commission & Vice Chair, GLTN, Madagascar
Ms. Lucia Kiwala, Head, UN Habitat Partnerships Unit, Kenya
Mr. George Wasonga, CEO, Civil Society Urban Development Platform, Kenya
