Mogadishu (SONNA) The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing on Monday welcomed senior UN-Habitat officials for a high-level meeting to enhance collaboration on urban planning and sustainable approaches for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Convened at the ministry’s headquarters, the gathering was presided over by State Minister for Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing, Saeed Mahmoud Haid, and included the ministry’s Director General alongside various department directors.
Discussions centered on preparations for the upcoming World Urban Forum (WUF) 13, scheduled for May in Azerbaijan, alongside progress reports on current initiatives, particularly impact-driven projects, the Integrated Development Solutions Framework (IDSF), and government-supported programs.
Both parties also examined proposed modifications to their cooperation agreement, addressing aspects related to urban development corridors.
The UN-Habitat Somalia Office head presented an overview of key activities being implemented, including housing construction for displaced communities in Bosaso and Baidoa, development of the National Housing Policy, and land management strategies for those cities. UN-Habitat has additionally formulated several urban development and IDP-focused projects, with some already approved and others awaiting implementation.
The meeting highlighted the robust strategic alliance between the Ministry of Public Works and UN-Habitat, with both entities committing to expedite urban planning initiatives and implement sustainable solutions to address displaced populations’ needs and foster inclusive urban development throughout Somalia.
