UN-HABITAT is a signatory of the Seoul Declaration, adopted at the Second International Forum of the Metropolis Women International Network Forum in October 2009. The Declaration encourages the adoption of gender perspectives in city policies and administration and makes suggestions for empowering women during the economic crisis, building safer cities for women, and fostering diversity and women's creativity.

The Forum was organized by the Metropolis Women International Network and the Seoul Metropolitan Government,represented by the Seoul Foundation of Women and Family. It brought together elected representatives, managers, experts from cities, international organisations, non-governmental organizations and governments from 64 cities and 42 countries.