UN-Habitat, sustainable towns and cities
Roadmap
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system.
UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.
World Habitat Day and World Cities Day 2025
The theme of World Habitat Day 2025 will be linked to urban crisis response. World Habitat Day 2025 will focus on addressing crises affecting urban areas and promoting tools and approaches for effective crisis response.
The theme of World Cities Day 2025 will be linked to people-centred smart cities. It will showcase how data-driven decision-making, technology, and AI can be used to improve urban life and recover from current shocks and crises. World Cities Day 2025 will also focus on promoting smart city initiatives centred on people.
Oct 31
World Cities Day 2025
World Cities Day brings Urban October to an end on 31 October each year and was first celebrated in 2014. As with World Habitat Day, a global observance is held in a different city each year and the day focuses on a specific theme.
On 31 October 2025, the Global Observance of World Cities Day, will be linked to people-centred smart cities. It will showcase how data-driven decision making, technology, and AI can be used to improve urban life and recover from current shocks and crises. It will also focus on promoting smart city initiatives centered on people.
> urbanoctober.unhabitat.org/wcd
Oct 6
World Habitat Day 2025
World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The day is also intended to remind the world that everyone has the power and the responsibility to shape the future of towns and cities.
> urbanoctober.unhabitat.org/whd
