UN Habitat Council adopts Lankan resolution

A resolution moved by Sri Lanka at the UN Habitat Governing Council meeting held at Nairobi on strengthening development of urban young people was unanimously adopted, official sources said.

Sri Lanka's methodology of financing urban slum upgrading by imposing one percent service charge on construction of buildings over 5000 square feet floor area, the Government policy of eliminating slums by the year 2020 by upgrading slum settlements was brought up before the 22nd session of the UN Habitat Governing Council Nairobi held from March to April, 2009 by the Minister of Urban Development Rohana Dissanayake.

The Sri Lankan delegation also tabled a resolution on 'strengthening the development of urban young people' and the resolution was unanimously adopted by the governing council, senior official sources said.

Among the clauses of the resolution were, "Acknowledging the progress made by UN Human Settlements Program towards mainstreaming the participation of young people in slum-upgrading and other programs; and the establishment of Youth Advisory Board at the WUF held in Nanjing - 2008.

"Considering the positive steps made by the United Nations Human Settlements program in collaboration with UN agencies and partners, towards implementing the Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development.

"Invites multi lateral agencies, private sector and civil society to promote the special fund for youth-led organizations within their respective regions and to encourage youth-led organizations to apply for the fund..."

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Minister Rohana Dissnayake, Ministry Secretary Prathap Ramanujam, Chairman Urban Development Authority Prasanna Gunawardena and General Manager National Housing Development Authority Sagara Palansuriya. (L.de S.)