The United Nations(UN)’s World Habitat Day is annually observed across the globe on the first Monday of October to highlight the role of the citizens towards shaping the future of cities and towns.
The day is commemorated across the globe to highlight the condition of the towns and cities and the basic rights of all to adequate shelter.
World Habitat Day 2021 was observed on 4th October 2021.
- World Habitat Day 2020 was observed on 5th October 2020.
- World Habitat Day 2022 will be observed on 3rd October 2022.
The theme of World Habitat Day 2021 is “Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world”.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/40/202 on 17th December 1985 and decided to observe the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day.
The first ever World Habitat day was celebrated in 1986 under the theme “Shelter is my right”.
World Habitat Day:
The World Habitat Day aims to enhance the global race to Zero Campaign and encourage local governments to develop actionable zero-carbon plans in the run-up to the international climate change summit COP26 in November 2021.
The Habitat Scroll of Honour Award:
i.The United Nations Human Settlements Programme launched the habitat scroll of Honor award in 1989.
ii.This is the most prestigious human settlement award in the world, which aims to acknowledge initiatives to contribute in various fields like shelter provision, highlighting the plight of the homeless, leadership in post-conflict reconstruction, and developing and improving the human settlements and the quality of urban life.
Urban October:
i.The UN habitat and its partners annually organise a month of activities, events and discussions on urban sustainability during the month of October.
ii.The event “Urban October” starts with World Habitat Day on 4th October 2021.
