The Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Republic of Kenya, Mr. Saad Maandi presented his credentials as Permanent Representative to UN–HABITAT to the Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos on 25 May 2011.
The ambassador explained how housing policies in Algeria had been successfully applied for the last two decades to provide housing for the poor. The envoy mentioned that between 2004 -2009 around one million houses have been delivered to poor families and slum dwellers moving them to other areas. Furthermore, and until 2014 the Government foresees to deliver another one million houses.
Dr. Clos explained his strategic view of the Habitat Agenda: "Cities should be regarded as assets and sources of wealth and not as a problem to neutralize or a liability" and noted though that at present, cooperation between UN Habitat and Algeria needed to be enhanced noting that Algeria is one of the countries that has complied with yearly contributions up to date. He therefore stated his firm will to explore possibilities for enhanced cooperation. |