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Secretary-General Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas and Dr Joan Clos, UN-Habitat Executive Director © ACP/2011 |
Progress and achievements of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme were shared with ambassadors from Africa, Caribbean and Pacific states participating in the Sub-Committee meeting on Political, Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs on 4 February 2013.
The meeting took place at the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Secretariat Office in Brussels, Belgium. To date, more than 150 cities located in 34 Countries in the Africa, Pacific and Caribbean countries are participating in the programme that addresses urban governance, decentralization and poverty alleviation. Addressing fundamental issues that include the right to adequate housing, basic urban services, participation in public decision-making and against unlawful evictions are means through which the programme is enabling cities and towns respond to the rights related needs of citizens.
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Niger are countries that completed the assessment of urban needs and action planning, and are currently rolling out interventions that will have a direct impact on the lives of slum dwellers. Water, sanitation and security of tenure are some of the interventions that will be rolled out in the year 2013. Eighteen of the participating countries are involved in the development of action plans at city and neighborhood levels. Through the planning process, cities establish networks with partners, prioritize interventions, as well as identify funding opportunities for implementation. On the other hand, eight countries are currently identifying the needs, challenges and response mechanisms in process popularly known as urban profiling.
During the meeting, there was unanimous recognition of the importance and relevance of the programme for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries. A key recommendation advanced at the meeting was the need to expand the programme to other countries not already participating. In addition, the need to develop activities on resilience building was advanced. Recommendations proposed at the meeting will help improve future operations of the programme as well as mobilize resources.
The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) is an organisation comprising of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states. The Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme is being implemented through a tripartite agreement between the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, European Commission and UN Habitat. Periodic meetings are held to update member states and partners on progress achieved. |
