Photo exhibition on World Habitat Day: ‘Geneva: The Habitats Within’

Ms. Algayerova,
Ms. Sivaramakrishnan,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

A warm welcome to today’s opening of the photo exhibition on the occasion of World Habitat Day, entitled ‘Geneva: The Habitats Within’. Let me start by thanking the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and in particular the Committee on Housing and Land Management for organizing this exhibition in collaboration with our Perception Change Project, Fondation Pour Genève, the Geneva City Forum and the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of Slovenia.

World Habitat Day is celebrated every first Monday in October. The Day serves as an important reminder that adequate shelter for all is a basic human right. The exhibition portrays 12 Geneva citizens from all walks of life in their habitats. With these images, photographer Sharmishta Sivaramakrishnan who is also a student at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, showcases in a unique way the importance of ‘home’ to people’s identities. The portraits illustrate an incredible diversity of International Geneva, home to a plethora of nationalities there are 189 of them international organizations and multinational companies. The city is unique in accommodating an immense diversity of people and ideas. Taken together, they have an incredible innovative potential.

And we will definitely need innovative ideas as the world is undergoing tremendous change. In 2008, urban populations outnumbered rural populations for the first time in history. By 2050 it is expected that 75% of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. While cities occupy only 2% of the global territory, they account today for over 60% of global consumption; they are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions; and they produce 70% of global waste. Creating sustainable cities is therefore at the core of achieving sustainable development.

The importance of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities is firmly enshrined in Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our joint roadmap for humanity. Actors in International Geneva make crucial contributions to realizing the Goals related to ensuring sustainable habitats for all. In 2015, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe endorsed the Geneva UN Charter on Sustainable Housing. It is an important international instrument to support Member States as they seek to ensure access to decent, adequate, affordable and healthy housing for all, with due attention to reducing the impact of the housing sector on the environment. The UNECE Committee on Housing and Land Management supports implementation of the Charter on the ground. As the Committee works to achieve resilient, smart and sustainable cities, it also promotes energy efficient and adequate housing, including for those with special needs and vulnerable population groups. This year, the UNECE Committee celebrates its 70th anniversary and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all its members for their continued efforts in ensuring access to sustainable housing for all.

UNECE, with all its activities, is well embedded in the Geneva ecosystem that works on implementing different aspects of the New Urban Agenda, adopted at Habitat III in 2016, an agenda that links urbanization and development as a driving force for improving our lives.

Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this timely exhibition, organized by UNECE, together with its partners. Our special thank you goes to the Permanent Mission of Slovenia for inviting us to a reception. Thank you for being with us today on this very special occasion. Please enjoy the exhibit.

Thank you.