SADC and UN-Habitat are working together to enhance regional integration and promote sustainable urban development in Africa. On February 26, 2025, SADC Executive Secretary, H.E. Elias M. Magosi, met with Mr. Oumar Sylla, Director of the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa, to discuss areas of mutual interest and strengthen collaboration.
The meeting focused on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. UN-Habitat, which coordinates human settlement activities within the United Nations, partners with governments and other organizations to implement these global objectives.
Magosi emphasized the role of SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, which includes a focus on sustainable cities under its Social and Human Capital Development pillar. He stressed that the SADC Secretariat requires technical and financial resources to achieve this goal.
In December 2023, SADC and UN-Habitat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their cooperation. The agreement provides a framework for collaboration on shared priorities and will guide efforts through December 2028.
