The United Nations (UN)’s World Habitat Day (WHD) is annually observed across the globe on the first Monday of October to reflect the condition of our habitats and to emphasize the fundamental right of every individual to adequate shelter.
- The WHD 2024 was observed on 7th October 2024.
Theme:
The theme of WHD 2024 is “Engaging youth to create a better urban future”.
- The theme highlights the chances and challenges of rapid urban growth and encourages young people to get involved in planning their communities now and in the future.
Host country:
The WHD 2024 global ceremony was held in Mexico at the “Educational Cultural Center of the state of Querétaro”.
Background:
i.On 17 December 1985, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution (A/RES/40/202) and decided to observe the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day.
ii.The WHD was first celebrated in 1986 with the theme “Shelter is My Right“. The city of Nairobi in Kenya hosted it.
Urban October: 31 days of promoting a better urban future:
i.Every October, UN-Habitat and its partners hold a month full of activities and events about urban sustainability. This gives people all over the world a chance to join the important discussion about the future of our cities and towns.
ii.The Urban October month begins with the WHD on the first Monday of October and concludes with World Cities Day on 31 October 2024.
- The global observance of World Cities Day on 31st October 2024 will take place in Alexandria, Egypt with the theme “Youth leading climate and local action for cities”.
- The UN World Cities Day was first celebrated on 31st October 2014.
iii.In the year 2024, Urban October shines a light on youth and their role in shaping our urban future
Scroll of Honour Award:
i.The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award was established by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 1989.
ii.UN-Habitat will present this prestigious award to the five winners of the 2024 edition during the Global Observance of the World Habitat Day.
iii. Winners of the 2024 UN-Habitat Scroll Award:
- Ville de Rabat from the Kingdom of Morocco.
- Alcaldía de Santiago de Cali from Cali, Colombia.
- Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh from Ipoh Perak, Malaysia.
- Allen Kong from Ocean Grove, Australia.
- David Satterthwaite from London, United Kingdom(UK).
About the United Nations:
Secretary General– António Guterres
Establishment– 1945
Headquarters– New York, The United States of America (USA)
