South Africa’s drive to build sustainable, inclusive and resilient human settlements has received a major boost, with the United Nations’ urban development agency opening a dedicated country office on home soil.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach officially launched the new UN-Habitat Country Office in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng, on Friday, 14 August 2026. Simelane described the moment as a new chapter in a partnership between South Africa and the UN agency that stretches back several years.
A stronger platform for better housing
Simelane said the country office was a significant step towards transforming human settlements, upgrading informal settlements and advancing sustainable urbanisation. The office will help integrate South Africa’s settlements work into the broader United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, while providing extra support for national priorities.
Through its collaboration with UN-Habitat, South Africa has already gained international recognition for its work to provide adequate housing and upgrade informal settlements.
“With the unwavering support of UN-Habitat, our country stands as a vocal champion for the transformation and upgrading of informal settlements, addressing poverty, ensuring adequate shelter, and delivering essential services to our people,” Simelane said.
Established in 1975, UN-Habitat supports change in cities and human settlements worldwide through knowledge sharing, policy advice, technical assistance and joint action.
Built on a clear national plan
The UN-Habitat Country Programme for South Africa was adopted in September 2023 after extensive consultation with the human settlements sector. It is aligned with the National Development Plan, particularly Chapter 8 on transforming human settlements and Chapter 12 on building safer communities, and it supports the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029, especially the priority focused on reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living.
Simelane said the programme adds fresh impetus and guidance for spatial integration, the development of inclusive and resilient settlements, and capacity-building within local government. It also backs the Comprehensive Plan for the Creation of Sustainable Human Settlements, which aims to provide decent shelter for all by upgrading informal settlements and improving substandard housing.
A springboard for the region
The Minister said the partnership could strengthen the continent’s urban development agenda and contribute to Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want.
“It serves as a springboard for establishing a Southern African Development Community consolidated agenda on human settlements, thereby filling a critical gap in current regional development programmes,” she said.
The launch builds on years of cooperation. In October 2022, South Africa hosted then UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, a visit that led to the adoption of the Global Action Plan on Accelerating the Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.
With the new office now open, government, UN agencies and development partners have a stronger, shared platform to turn plans for dignified homes into bricks, taps and streetlights for South African families.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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