General Assembly: 103rd Plenary meeting (resumed), 80th session

So the 103rd Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly is resumed. The Assembly will resume its consideration of Agenda Item 178 entitled Follow-up to the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, to hear the remaining speakers of the High-Level Meeting of the Assembly on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda. Before giving the floor to the first speaker from my list, I would like to remind delegations that the time limit will be 5 minutes for individual delegations and 7 minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of states, which will be strictly enforced by means of automatic microphone cutoff. To assist delegations in managing their time, a countdown clock will be displayed on the screens. Having said this, I would appeal to all speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace to facilitate interpretation into the 6 official languages. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru.

The statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China. Allow me, first of all, to express. Peru's gratitude to the President of the General Assembly and to the co-facilitators and to UN-Habitat for their leadership in carrying out this important review process. The adoption of the political declaration sent a clear message that the international community maintains its commitment to Making progress on the New Urban Agenda and achieving SDG 11. 10 years on from the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, we have the opportunity not only to reflect on what has been achieved, but also to renew our collective commitment to building more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities. For Peru, Sustainable urban development is inseparable from guaranteeing access to decent housing, to basic services, and to resilient infrastructure, as well as good quality public spaces and comprehensive integrated land planning. These priorities continue to guide our national policies, including the implementation of our national housing and urban planning policy, the urban sustainable urban development law, the the instruments on sustainable mobility and legislation aimed at protecting public spaces. Moreover, we continue to strengthen inclusive national dialogue through our National Urban Forum with the support of UN-Habitat. Peru welcomes the balanced outcomes reflected in the political declaration which was adopted on the 16th of July. In particular, We welcome the reaffirmation of all of the principles in the Rio Declaration on the Environment and Development, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This reflects the previously agreed language that was agreed in the New Urban Agenda itself and appropriately recognizes that although sustainable urbanization is a shared goal, countries face different realities, capacities, and levels of development. We also welcome the fact that the declaration puts people and human rights at the center of sustainable urban development, in particular women and girls, as well as persons in a situation of vulnerability. This approach is an essential element for making sure that the implementation of the new urban agenda leaves no one behind. Moreover, we welcome the reaffirmation of the fact that the effective implementation of it requires means of implementation that are adequate, sustainable, predictable, and sustainable, particularly for developing countries. We are pleased to see the continued references to financing, capacity building, technical assistance, technology transfer, international cooperation, and concessional financing that does not generate debt, together with a recognition of the complementary role of South-South, North-South, and triangular cooperation, as well as the international financial institutions. Madam President, as we begin the second half of the implementation period of the New Urban Agenda, ambition needs to go hand in hand with solidarity. Developing countries need more robust partnerships, greater investment, strengthened technical cooperation, and better access to innovation if we want to achieve sustainable urbanization. UN-Habitat plays an essential role in providing support for member states through its normative work, its technical assistance, and its operational capacity. Therefore, Peru reiterates its support for the Executive Director and its support for strengthening this program and the need to make sure that it has predictable and sustainable resources so as to be able to effectively fulfill its mandate. Finally, Peru reaffirms its commitment to keep working with all member states and other stakeholders To accelerate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and to make sure that our cities become drivers of sustainable development, social inclusion, and resilience for present and future generations. Thank you very much.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you to the representative of Peru.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.

Madam Chair, ladies and gentlemen, Egypt through the previous decade has translated the principles of the New Urban Agenda into integrated policies and implemented programs which has focused on strategic planning and investment in both people and places and enhancing integrity between social and economic, environmental and urban policies. The initiative, A Dignified Life, is a model for integrated dignified life as we have improved basic services in more than 4,500 villages. Coverage of portable water has raised to 99% and 70% for sanitation services, which has increased rural and urban linkages and increased development. We reiterate that the experiences we have gained show that it is important to give priority to 5 main tracks. First, enhance the right to adequate housing as the cornerstone for establishing sustainable urban development with innovative financing by increasing access to climate finance and increasing the work of IFIs and working also on partnerships between private and public sectors, which enables states, especially developing states, to access concessional financing and improves access to base— to land and to basic services. Second, enhancing cities' abilities to be resilient facing disasters and climate change by using adaptation and mitigation in urban planning and investing in resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions to save lives, livelihoods, and sustain environmental sustainability. Third, to support multi-level governance and enable local governance authorities as a main partnership in implementing the New Urban Agenda while working on decentralization and improving local financial administration services to increase accountability and social inclusion. Fourth, investment in innovation and data and digital transformation by working on urban data systems and using artificial intelligence and emerging technologies and geospatial systems in urban design and planning, which improves the efficiency for resource management and contributes to building smarter and more sustainable cities. Fifth, expanding international partnerships and international cooperation, especially South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation, building capacities, transfer of technology to allow developing states to implement their national priorities, taking into account different needs and contexts. Ladies and gentlemen, we reiterate that the success of the New Urban Agenda means that we need to work on integrating different international frameworks, specifically SDGs as part of the 2030 Plan and the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, to ensure coherence between all these different frameworks and to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development. Based on our national experience and our hosting of the urban conference, we reiterate to— on continuing international development and capacity building, especially with African and Arab countries, as part of our belief that sustainable urban development is a collective responsibility based on partnership, integration, and exchange of knowledge. In conclusion, we reiterate our full commitment to continue to harmonize our national policies with the New Urban Agenda and to work with all partners on accelerating its implementation through, through the remaining decades leading up to 2036 to build human settlements and cities that are more inclusive and resilient and sustainable. We call on the international community to see this midterm review as a launching pad for collective work based on partnership and innovation and capacity building so that the New Urban Agenda is a reality in the lives of people and not just an international framework that we seek to implement. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. Shukran. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Qatar.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Qatar has adopted a strategic approach that links urban planning to long-term strategic objectives, which made the implementation of this agenda not just an international commitment but part of our national framework.

We—

this is part of our vision for 2030, to have a balanced and sustainable urban development. We have a number of initiatives and projects, and they are as follows: the National Urban Plan, which was developed as part of our 2030 vision, which directs how we will use the different lands and works, links also the systems for transport and services. We also have a national plan for housing to work on integrated housing. Projects with easy access to services and linking that to infrastructure transport systems while taking into account the different needs of the citizens by providing adequate housing for different group— groups of the society, integrating urban development with the transport system by having the urban plans in line with the metro, with the Doha Metro and other systems. in order to reduce reliance on private vehicles and increase the efficiency of the transport system. Climate change is part of our urban planning. We have a strategy for taking into account the risks of climate change. We are working on transforming the cities into low-emission cities in order to reduce our carbon fingerprint and raise the efficiency— the energy efficiency of these different buildings and increase the resilience of infrastructure in facing climate change. We have also been using geospatial systems and data analysis to support decision-making and increasing the efficiency of development management. We have been able to translate this into significant projects, including models for reviving cities based on sustainability and maintaining the cultural identity. We also have the Al Waseel City, which has been designed based on urban development development and has been linked to transport systems and shows us moving from traditional planning to planning based on resilience, sustainability, and data. Based on our experience, we emphasize the importance of international cooperation and partnerships and transfer of technology and exchange of knowledge. As part of our second phase, we focus on geospatial governance and expanding investment in smart cities, digital transformation, and increasing cities' resilience. In conclusion, we commit to continue working with all partnerships, with all international community and partnerships, to implement the New Urban Agenda and to increase the capability of our cities to deal with the future with resilience. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Qatar. Shukran. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of

Thank you, Madam President.

Zimbabwe welcomes the convening of this high-level meeting as an important opportunity to renew our collective commitment and accelerate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda during the decade leading to 2036. Excellencies, 10 years after the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, The imperative before us is clear. We must move beyond commitments and deliver tangible improvements in the lives of our people. Sustainable urbanization is central to poverty eradication, climate resilience, inclusive economic growth, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11. The midterm review, together with the outcomes of the World Urban Forum and the High-Level Political Forum, has underscored the need to translate global commitments into affordable housing, reliable basic services, economic opportunities, and safe, inclusive, and resilient settlements. Zimbabwe is experiencing rapid urbanization as national development gathers pace. Guided by Vision 2030 and the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy, the government has placed sustainable and inclusive human settlements at the center of its development agenda. We are regularizing and upgrading informal settlements in situ and expanding access to secure land tenure through the Presidential Title Deeds Program. By strengthening property rights, we are unlocking economic opportunities for households and enabling greater investment in infrastructure and community development. Our housing allocation framework reflects our commitment to social inclusion, reserving 60% of housing opportunities for vulnerable groups, including women, youth, civil servants, liberation war veterans, and persons with disabilities. Financing remains one of the greatest obstacles to sustainable urban development. Zimbabwe continues to face significant deficits in offsite infrastructure, particularly water, sanitation, and energy systems. Challenges compounded by unilateral coercive measures, which have restricted access to international financing. Notwithstanding these constraints, we have mobilized domestic resources, leveraged public-private partnerships, and secured over $72 million in regional credit facilities to accelerate housing delivery. Climate resilience is equally integral to our urban development strategy. Zimbabwe has established a 3-phase shelter response framework for communities affected by natural disasters and major industrial developments. We have also established the Green Buildings Council and are promoting the transition to renewable energy solutions, including solar energy, to foster greener and more sustainable urban ecosystems. Madam President, as we look towards 2036, Sustainable urbanization requires stronger alignment between the New Urban Agenda, the 2030 Agenda, and the emerging post-2030 development framework. It will also require scaled-up investment, strengthened partnerships, and enhanced international cooperation. Zimbabwe remains committed to working with all partners to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements that leave no one behind. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the representative of Zimbabwe and now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

Muchas gracias, señora presidenta.

Thank you very much, Madam President. It's a great pleasure for my delegation to see you leading today's session. We are grateful for the convening of this high-level meeting and we welcome the political declaration on the midterm review of the New Urban Agenda. Its approval reaffirms the international community's commitment to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 11. Cuba reaffirms its determination to make progress on achieving the New Urban Agenda and on building societies and human settlements that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable as an essential condition for sustainable development. We have a state plan for its implementation, a national urban policy, a national scheme of land organization, and a legal framework that steers the balanced management of the land, strengthens our urban planning, and promotes the sustainable sustainable land use. All Cuban municipalities have urban plans, and they structure their They coordinate their plans with the New Urban Agenda. We continue to promote plans for the construction of housing, the transformation of neighborhoods, disaster risk reduction, adaptation to climate change through the implementation of the Living Undertaking, and also renewable energy sources to strengthen the resilience of our cities and communities. We have done this in spite of the increased blockade and the energy siege. The difficulties we face in acquiring fuel, producing construction materials, repairing energy infrastructure, or gaining access to technologies are directly impacting housing programs, urban rehabilitation, public transport, the supply of water, the provision of basic services, and the capacity of our cities to move towards more resilient and sustainable models. Despite these circumstances, Cuba continues to prioritize cooperation and the reconstruction of housing that has been affected by weather phenomenon, the transformation of settlements, community participation, and capacity building within local governments. In some of these projects, we enjoy longstanding cooperation with the agencies, funds, and programs of the United Nations, and we are grateful for that. We will continue to work to make the New Urban Agenda a reality. We are convinced that it is only through strong and strengthened multilateralism, international solidarity, and full respect for the right to development, that we will be able to keep our shared promise of leaving no one behind. Thank you very much.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Cuba. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of India.

Senhora Presidenta, India welcomes the convening of this high-level meeting at the midpoint of implementation of the New Urban Agenda. We look forward to the adoption of a concise, action-oriented— and we are indeed happy that this has happened— the political declaration which renews our collective commitment to sustainable urbanization and provides practical guidance for accelerating implementation over the coming decade. Urbanization represents one of the defining development transformations of our time. As home to over 500 million urban residents today, with over 400 million more expected by 2050, India views sustainable cities as indispensable to realizing our vision of Vikasit Bharat, or a developed India, by 2047, which is the 100th anniversary of our independence. Our experience demonstrates that cities are not merely centers of habitation; they are engines of economic growth, employment, innovation, and social transformation. India has pursued an integrated approach to urban development through flagship initiatives, including the Prime Minister's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Amrut, the Smart Cities Mission, and the Swachh Bharat Mission, the National Urban Digital Mission, and the PM Svanidhi. These initiatives have expanded access to affordable housing, water and sanitation, strengthened urban infrastructure, empowered livelihoods, and leveraged digital technologies to improve governance and public service delivery. Housing remains the foundation of inclusive urban development. A home is more than physical shelter; it provides dignity, security, and access to essential services. Equally important is strengthening climate resilience through sustainable mobility, resource-efficient infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and environmentally responsible urban planning, guided by initiatives such as Mission Life. Looking ahead, implementation of the New Urban Agenda must be supported by adequate and predictable means of implementation, including finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. Digital public infrastructure, data-driven governance, and responsible use of AI can significantly improve planning and service delivery while ensuring that no one is left behind. India welcomes the political declaration that has reaffirmed the principles of national ownership, partnerships, and international cooperation while remaining implementation-focused and responsive to the realities of rapidly urbanizing developing countries. Together, we can accelerate progress towards sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities for all. Thank you, Madam.

I thank the distinguished representative of India and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia.

Thank you, Madam President. Your Excellencies, dear colleagues, since the adoption of the New Urban Agenda in 2016, Namibia has continued to pursue sustainable urban development as an integral component of our national development priorities. As one of our most urbanized countries in Africa, we recognized both the opportunities and challenges that rapid urbanization presents. Our efforts are focused on expanding access to affordable housing, strengthening local governance, improving basic services, and promoting inclusive and resilient human settlements. While notable progress has been achieved globally, significant gaps remain, particularly in addressing housing shortages, informal settlements, financing constraints, climate vulnerability, and growing urban inequalities. The findings of the midterm review underscore the need for accelerated action, stronger partnerships, and increased investment in sustainable urban development. The PEC's emphasis on sustainable development, resilience, financing for development, climate action, digital cooperation, and stronger multilateralism enforces the need to replace cities and local governments at the center of implementation efforts. Achieving the ambitions of both the Pact for the Future and the New Urban Agenda will require inclusive governance, innovative financing mechanisms, and strengthened international cooperation to ensure that no city, community, or country is left behind. As we look forward to 2036, we call for enhanced international cooperation, strengthened capacity building for local authorities, greater access to climate and development finance, and support for innovation that enables cities to become more inclusive, resilient, and economically productive. These efforts, Madam President, are essential to realizing both the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Namibia and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ukraine.

Madam President, thank you. Ukraine attaches great importance to the New Urban Agenda and to building cities and human settlements that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Before Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine had made significant progress in advancing sustainable urban development.

development.

We invested in affordable housing, sustainable transport, energy-efficient buildings, improved waste management, modern urban infrastructure, and disaster resilience, working to create more inclusive, accessible, and resilient communities across our country. Perhaps no city better illustrated this progress than Mariupol. After 2014, despite its proximity to the front line, Mariupol became a symbol of resilience and successful urban transformation. Supported by international partners, the city invested in sustainable public transport, modern water and wastewater infrastructure, energy-efficient public buildings, inclusive social services, and vibrant public spaces. It demonstrated how the principles of the New Urban Agenda could be translated into tangible improvements in people's daily lives. However, since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion on February 24th, 2022, these efforts have been deliberately and systematically destroyed. As a direct consequence of the aggression, around 14% of the country's housing stock has been damaged or destroyed. This destruction affected more than 3 million households, resulting in 4.6 million Ukrainians forced to leave their homes and move to safer areas within Ukraine. Entire Ukrainian urban landscapes, including Mariupol, Bakhmut, Volnovakha, Chasiv Yar, Avdiivka, Popasna, Rubizhne, and others, have been devastated. Frontline cities such as Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, and Sumy continue to endure relentless targeted attacks. At the same time, cities and communities across the entire territory of Ukraine are subjected to regular Russian missile and drone strikes deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, energy facilities, and transport networks. These represent deliberate attacks on the very principles underpinning the New Urban Agenda: the right of people to live in safe, resilient, and sustainable communities. Yet, despite these enormous challenges, Ukraine remains resilient and firmly committed to rebuilding. Our vision is not simply to restore what has been destroyed, but to build back better, better, to create greener, more resilient, inclusive, and accessible cities that meet the aspirations of the new urban agenda and contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In this regard, the latest Ukrainian Recovery Conference co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland in Gdańsk on June 25th-26th, 2026 marked an important milestone in mobilizing international political support investments and partnerships for Ukraine's recovery. We express our sincere gratitude to the government and people of Poland for hosting this important event, as well as to all our international partners for their continued solidarity and support. Ukraine also highly values the contribution of the United Nations development system to our recovery efforts. We appreciate the continued engagement of UN-Habitat and other UN in supporting the restoration of Ukrainian cities, housing, municipal services, and critical infrastructure, while strengthening national capacities for sustainable and resilient recovery. As the current member of the Executive Board of UN-Habitat, Ukraine remains actively engaged in advising sustainable urbanization at the global level. We reaffirm our strong support for the organization's mandate and stand ready to contribute to the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda. Ukraine's experience demonstrates that sustainable urban development cannot be separated from peace and security. No city can become resilient while it is being deliberately destroyed. No urban agenda can succeed where the UN Charter is systematically violated and civilian infrastructure is intentionally targeted. We therefore call on the international community to remain united in supporting comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter. Such peace is indispensable not only for Ukraine's recovery but also for the security of the region.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

We align ourselves with the statement of Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China, and we wish to add the following in our national capacity. We welcome the adoption of the political declaration of the midterm review. We thank the co-facilitators for their tireless leadership and transparent leadership of this process. We also remain committed to the New Urban Agenda adopted in Kyoto in 2016, as well as our commitment to the 2030 Agenda, namely SDG 11. This commitment is an international commitment, but also for us a national policy. In October 2025, the Iraqi government through the Housing Ministry launched the 2025-2030 National Housing Policy in cooperation with international partners. This policy nationally embodies the commitments that were renewed in the declaration, most notably adequate and decent housing. This is indeed a constitutional right in line with, um, Provision 30 of our constitution. We also work on upgrading informal settlements and enforcing resilience in the face of climate change, as well as balanced territorial development. We welcome the fact that sustainable urban development was considered a driver to counter poverty and hunger. It is indeed a human right. This is a right that was embodied in our constitution, and the state is committed to providing adequate housing and adequate income for individuals and families. We also stress the importance of acknowledging structural and continuous challenges in countries that are in conflict, that are under foreign occupation, and those in post-conflict situations. This reflects clearly our experience in recovery and reconstruction after liberating large parts of our land that was controlled by terrorists and with damages to our cultural heritage as well, such as in Mosul. We take account of these growing challenges, but it is unfortunate that the declaration was very brief when it comes to the consequences of armed conflicts on urban regions. We call for further international cooperation to reconstruct infrastructure in conflict-affected countries, particularly when it comes to mines, remnants of wars, including explosives. We still shoulder a significant burden in this regard. We also welcome the mention that adequate housing is a driver for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, particularly to fight poverty and promote food security, health, and social integration. This is the same logic that we have adopted in our national housing policy in Iraq to counter poverty. We also welcome the commitment to achieve sustainable and resilient urban development in line with Article 18 of the New Urban Agenda. We suffer greatly because of climate change, with consequences such as rising temperatures, water scarcity, and climate-induced displacement. This commitment is for us particularly important and a national priority as well. We welcome the mention of consistent development efforts. particularly when it comes to fighting disasters, humanitarian work, and peacebuilding. This is important in line with our experience in reconstruction, and we hope to see concrete and funded arrangements, particularly for cities that were affected by conflicts. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Iraq. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Türkiye.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the General Assembly and UN-Habitat for organizing this significant gathering. Türkiye regards UN-Habitat as a key partner in advancing sustainable urbanization, highly values its longstanding cooperation and support. Today, cities are strategic centers for sustainable development. Economic growth, social inclusion, and the global response to climate change. They are also where many of the impacts of climate change are most visible and where practical solutions can be developed and implemented. With this understanding, Turkey has adopted the objective of making its cities more livable, inclusive, green, and resilient as a fundamental public policy priority. We attach great importance to UN-Habitat processes, having hosted the Habitat II Conference in 1996, Turkey continues to regard the New Urban Agenda adopted in 2016 as a core roadmap for its urban policies. We have prepared and submitted our 2nd National Progress Report covering the 2021-2025 period with active contributions from our public institutions, local governments, academia, and relevant stakeholders. The report highlights our progress in inclusive urbanization, social housing design, disaster resilience settlements, environmental sustainability, and innovative urban policies. Distinguished delegates, in recent years Turkey has undergone a significant test in the field of urban planning. The Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes of 2023 were recorded as one of the largest natural disasters in human history. Thanks to our robust state capacity, seamless institutional coordination, and solidarity of our people, we are carrying out the largest post-disaster reconstruction and recovery campaign in the world. Our earthquake-affected 11 cities, particularly Hatay, are being prepared for the future as safer, more resilient, green, and livable urban centers. This critical experience has demonstrated that building disaster-resilient cities is no longer a matter of preference but a global necessity. To this end, we are actively increasing social housing production pursuing our on-site, voluntary, and rapid urban transformation approach, promoting and expanding our zero waste movement, supporting renewable energy integration and green transition policies, and preparing our cities for the future in line with our 2053 net-zero emission goals. Distinguished delegates, earlier this year, together with UN-Habitat, we organized the international event Turkey's Pathway to COP31: Resilient Cities in Hatay, as an important milestone in the COP31 process. The event provided a valuable platform for exchanging experience on post-disaster reconstruction, urban resilience, and sustainable urban development while reinforcing international cooperation in the lead-up to COP31. At the 38th World Urban Forum held in Baku, Turkey has shared its experience in sustainable urbanism, disaster resilience, and climate-friendly urban development with the international community. These efforts reflect Turkey's commitment to transforming its cities while contributing to national cooperation, international cooperation through the sharing of experience and good practices. As COP31 President-designate, Turkey has identified climate-resilient cities as one of the priorities of its climate action agenda. We believe that cities are essential to translating global commitments into practical action and tangible outcomes on the ground. Our zero waste initiative constitutes our key— another key priority of the COP31 climate action agenda, reflecting our commitments to resource efficiency, circularity, and sustainable urban development. Together, these priorities embody our implementation-oriented vision for COP31. Turkey looks forward to working closely with all parties throughout the COP31 process to advance practical, inclusive, and implementation-oriented solutions that strengthen the role of cities in climate action and transport the effect— support the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Türkiye and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Madam President, Timor-Leste expresses sincere appreciation for the convening of this high-level meeting.

Thank you.

As one of the world's youngest nations, Timor-Leste views urbanization as both an opportunity and a core development responsibility. Rapid demographic change and economic transformations are driving our urban transition. Well-managed urbanization can spur productivity, economic diversification, and social inclusion. Poorly managed, it risks worsening inequality, environmental degradation, and disaster vulnerability. The core challenge is governing this transition to support sustainable and equitable growth. Consequently, Timor-Leste has placed integrated territorial planning at the centre of its development strategy. Guided by our Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030, National Spatial Planning Policy, and decentralization reforms, we are strengthening national and municipal planning systems. We continue to modernize land administration through the Land Law and cadastral registrations to provide legal certainty and reduce disputes. Simultaneously, we are investing in strategic infrastructure, including the road— national road network, Tibor Bay Port, President Nicolae Lobato International Airport, public housing, and basic utilities to reduce regional disparities and stimulate local economies. Recognizing that sustainable cities require thriving rural communities, Timor-Leste also invests heavily in rural roads, climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, and local economic development. Through our Municipal Development Program, we are building local administrative capacity to deliver services closer to citizens, mitigating excessive migration pressures, and promoting balanced territorial development. Climate resilience is integral to our urban agenda. As an LDC and SIDS Timor-Leste faces severe exposure to extreme weather, as demonstrated by Cyclone Sauroja in 2021. In response, we have strengthened disaster risk reduction through watershed management, flood mitigation, slope stabilization, and climate-resilient infrastructure, alongside implementing our National Adaptation Plan and Nationally Determined Contribution. Despite this program, However, significant challenges persist. Limited institutional capacity, financing constraints, and rapid expansion strain housing, transport, and municipal services. As a small island nation, Timor-Leste cannot tackle these hurdles alone. Effective implementation requires sustained international partnership. In light of its experience, Timor-Leste wishes to highlight the following points: First, to strengthen UN-Habitat technical assistance in integrated spatial planning land administration, municipal governance, and urban data systems. Second, expand access to predictable concessional and climate finance for resilient urban infrastructure, prioritizing prevention over post-disaster recovery. Third, promote South-South triangular and regional cooperation to share best practices in affordable housing, sustainable mobility, disaster risk reduction, and digital governance. Four, to integrate urban development fully into national sustainable development strategies and climate action plans. Madam President, urbanization is one of the defining development challenges of our time. The quality of our cities will dictate the resilience of our economies and our ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Timor-Leste reaffirms its commitment to implementing the New Urban Agenda and looks forward to working with UN-Habitat and global partners to ensure our settlements become engines of shared prosperity, leaving no one and no place behind. I thank you.

I now give the floor to the representative of the State of Palestine.

Thank you, Madam President. The State of Palestine aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 in China. Madam President, Excellency, the total number of cities has more than doubled in the past 50 years, as nearly half of the world's population currently lives in cities and is projected to reach 70% by 2050. The majority of this growth will occur, will occur in developing countries, where rapid urbanization underscores the urgent need for sustainable, urban planning and development as set out in the 2030 Agenda. It was in this context that the New Urban Agenda was adopted 10 years ago as our collective commitment to harness urbanization for social, economic, and environmental development. Yet today, these commitments are under severe strain as implementation of the SDGs has either stalled or regressed. This is evident in Palestine, where the implementation is regressing not because of a lack of urban planning institutions or public services, but rather because of nearly 6 decades of Israeli occupation, decades of colonial settlement expansion, and decades of systematic aggression that continue to fragment Palestinian land, obstruct development, and undermine the very foundations of sustainable urban life for the Palestinian people. Madam President, the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has destroyed over 371,000 homes, unleashing over 60 million tons of hazardous rubble and debris. Nearly all schools have been attacked or destroyed, and the majority of hospitals are non-operational. As stated in this year's report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, the systematic destruction of housing and infrastructure in Gaza reflects such a pattern and underscores the need to recognize domicide as a standalone international crime. Madam President, the deliberate Israeli destruction of cities, homes, and essential infrastructure is not only an assault on the Palestinian people and Palestine, it is an assault on the New Urban Agenda itself. Such crimes undermine our shared commitments and collective efforts to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities. In the face of such challenges, the New Urban Agenda provides the vision and tools needed to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities that advance prosperity and well-being. This midterm review is a confirmation that vision alone is not enough. The question before us is, how do we turn vision into results? And how do we ensure that our commitments are upheld for all and in all circumstances without exception? The answer is clear. It requires action. Only through concrete action can we fulfill fulfill the promise of sustainable cities and leave no country and no one behind. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the State of Palestine. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia.

Muchas gracias, señora.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Colombia aligns itself with the statement made in the first session delivered on the 16th of July last by the G77 and China, and we thank you for convening this high-level meeting that allows us to assess progress made and to renew the international commitment to the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The review of SDG 11 during the recent high-level political forum confirmed that there are still significant deficits. We must therefore ramp up our efforts through multi-stakeholder and multi-level alliances that involve local and regional and national governments, communities, as well as other relevant stakeholders. Making progress with the New Urban Agenda requires dealing with territorial inequalities, exclusion, and lackings that particularly affect informal settlements. This requires strengthening inclusive local economies, bringing about decent jobs, and promoting sustainable and flexible flexible financing mechanisms that broaden access to decent housing. Colombia has promoted a renewed vision of the new urban agenda that places habitat, people, and ecosystems at the heart of it. This vision recognizes and strengthens all different ways of living and people's houses, homes through legislation, comprehensively improving settlements and informal neighborhoods as well as new home solutions, improving and adapting them to the different regional realities. This approach is reflected in the National Development Plan of the government of President Gustavo Petro that establishes as one of its central transformations the ordering of the territory around water and environmental justice. This means making the water cycle, protection of ecosystems, and adaptation to climate change, as well as risk management key to territorial planning. What's more, within the framework of the National Policy for Sustainable Building, we have established guidelines for new buildings with sustainability criteria based on life cycles, seeking to transform to more constructive, responsible models within the framework of the environment. The new urban agenda will only be achieved if we Slate concrete transformations that protect lives to reduce inequalities. Thank you.

Speaker for this meeting, and we shall hear the remaining speakers this afternoon at 3 PM in this same chamber. The meeting is suspended.