The aim of AMCHUD is to come up with action-oriented innovative ways of overcoming the challenges of urbanization and propelling a collective momentum forward. The overall conference, whose working languages will be both French and English, will be convened in two parts:

Expert Group Meeting : From 31 January to 2 February 2005 – The 5th General Assembly of the African Population Commission (APC) will address pertinent issues relating to the overall theme of Urbanization, Shelter and Development: Towards an Enhanced Framework for Sustainable Cities and Towns in Africa. It will serve as an Expert Group Meeting, bringing together experts from all the critical sectors in the sphere of population, housing and urban development. Its recommendations will feed into the second part of the conference.

Ministerial Meeting : From 3 to 4 February, 2005 – A meeting composed of Ministers in charge of Housing and Urban Development, and Population will deliberate on the report of the 5th Assembly of the African Population Commission/Expert Group Meeting. The main objective of this meeting is to arrive at an action-oriented framework for realizing sustainable cities and towns in Africa.