 UN-Habitat Executive Director Dr Joan Clos has been named as one of the top 100 most influential actors in the global fight against armed violence.
The list, which was compiled by Action On Armed Violence, features prominent United Nations leaders, government officials, executives of non-governmental organisations and non-profit bodies, celebrities and survivors of violence who work in various capacities to reduce and prevent armed violence. According to the organisation armed violence which kills more than half a million people each year.
As the head of the United Nation’s Human Settlements Programme, Dr Clos was cited for the agency’s work under the Safer Cities Initiative. Earlier this year, mayors from around the world joined forces to create the Global Network on Safer Cities – a platform for local, national and international partners to develop and implement a global agenda for safer and more sustainable cities. Its goal is to equip local authorities and urban stakeholders to deliver urban safety, contributing towards securing the urban advantage for all.
In Nairobi, Kenya, where UN-Habitat is headquartered, the agency recently partnered with the Nairobi County to re-launch the Safer Nairobi Initiative under the banner “Jiji salama, maisha poa”, or “Safe Nairobi, better life’ in Kiswahili. Those who spoke at the launch promised to join hands in making the city – long considered a regional diplomatic and international travel hub – fight crime to make it a safer place for its residents and help it attract even bigger investments and visitors.
According to Action On Armed Violence, its list celebrated those “who have dedicated their lives to making the world a safer place”. |
