New Pact Between Un-habitat and Academia

As urban areas continue to expand and evolve at an unprecedented rate, the role of academia in shaping the future of cities has become increasingly important. Universities play a crucial role as knowledge brokers in urban development at all scales, contributing to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. With their vast reservoirs of knowledge and expertise, they are centers of learning and research and are also pivotal in influencing policy and practice. They are instrumental in generating innovative solutions, fostering multi-sector collaborations, and providing evidence-based insights to tackle complex urban challenges, such as climate change.
However, there is great unrealized potential for universities and research institutes to help UN-Habitat in its work and amplify its agenda. Framing universities and researchers as one of many stakeholder groups interested in Habitat’s work misses the mark: Academia is a giant silent partner in conducting research and capacity building for sustainable development.
The objectives of the event are:
1. Strengthen the voice of academia for sustainable urbanization and enhance collaboration across sectors, regions, and disciplines;
2. Launch Habitat UNI Steering Committee Elections, raising awareness about the election process and criteria;
3. Raise awareness and discuss the new UN-Habitat Universities and Research Partnerships Framework, collecting feedback from academia and research institutes;
4. Launch the call for action in support of NUA Quadrennial Reporting.