Highest recognition for India at UN Habitat

New Delhi, Apr 16: India has got the highest recognition at the UN Habitat with Minister of State for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja having been unanimously elected as President of its Governing Council at Nairobi.

Ms Selja has been elected for a two-year term. She succeeds Mr Petr Kopriva from the Czech Republic, the Ministry said here today.

UN-Habitat is an important organ of the UN system dealing with all issues relating to human settlements.

It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

As the Minister of Housing&Urban Poverty Alleviation, Ms Selja has taken significant initiatives for creating housing and related infrastructure facilities in the rapidly urbanizing town and cities of the country, with specific focus on the under-privileged.

Formulation of New National Housing and Habitat Policy, National Slum Policy, National Policy on Street Vendors etc are some of the recent initiatives taken to address the concerns of the urban poor and slum dwellers.

The Ministry has also placed specific focus on provision of basic services to the urban poor with security of tenure at affordable costs, improved housing, water supply and sanitation through the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

She also holds the position of Chairperson of the Bureau of the Asia Pacific Ministers Conference of Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) and also represents Asia in the Commonwealth Local Government Forum's Conference.

UNI