The President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and UN-Habitat will co-host a High-Level Dialogue on Adequate Housing during the Ministerial Segment of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The Dialogue will spotlight how affordable and secure housing underpins social justice and economic stability, ensuring no one is left behind.
Date: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Time: 1:15 PM – 2:45 PM (in person, with live webcast)
Venue: ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
Register to attend in person here
Watch the live webcast here
Why this dialogue matters
Housing is among the most visible indicators of social equity. Around one billion people still live in slums or informal settlements, many without secure tenure. By showcasing community-led housing initiatives, slum transformation programmes, and place-based planning, the session will demonstrate how local governments and grassroots partners can:
- Accelerate progress across multiple SDGs by reducing spatial inequality and strengthening resilience.
- Renew the social contract through rights-based urban development ahead of the Second World Summit on Social Development (2026).
- Align housing actions with climate adaptation, gender equality, and social-protection frameworks.
Programme highlights
- Opening remarks by the ECOSOC President and the Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
- Moderated ministerial–mayoral panel on tenure security, financing and inclusive planning.
- Interactive floor interventions from civil-society leaders, housing practitioners, and development partners.
- Key take-aways for action at local, regional and national levels, feeding into the HLPF Ministerial Declaration.
Who will be in the room?
The session will bring together ministers, mayors, local officials, housing specialists, civil society leaders, and international development partners to highlight the crucial role of multi-level governance in achieving transformative housing solutions. Participants will discuss ways to enhance collaboration among national, regional, and local stakeholders by strengthening institutional capacity and synchronizing housing initiatives with climate, gender, and social protection frameworks.
Participation
- HLPF-accredited delegates (Member States, UN staff, major groups and other stakeholders holding a valid UN Grounds Pass) may attend without additional registration.
- Other interested participants should register via Eventbrite by 15 July 2025 | 5 PM EDT.
- A live webcast will be available worldwide on UN Web TV; no pre-registration is required for online viewing.