Focus on the Habitat Agenda: The Commonwealth Development Framework for Human Settlements

At an historic meeting held in Nairobi in May 1999, the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC) instigated an innovative approach to implementing the Habitat Agenda by setting up the Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS). The CCGHS will work through practical, hands-on approaches to providing shelter and improving human settlements by: a) identifying areas for action; b) creating innovative and effective partnership arrangements to allow implementation of priority actions c) monitoring and gauging progress; and d) targeting new, and redirection of existing resources, in support of the objectives of the Habitat Agenda.

This document draws on the experience of member states, to clarify specific development goals included in the Habitat Agenda and to explore practical responses to these challenges within Commonwealth member countries. These goals, enriched by Commonwealth contributions towards their achievement, have been encapsulated in this Commonwealth Development Framework for Human Settlements as signposts to success. All 54 Commonwealth member countries are automatically members of CCGHS and have the right of participation in the consultative process, which is the key to achieving the success so necessary to the realisation of the Agenda objectives.

This document has been prepared by CHEC with the support of the International Institute of Environment and Development and Environ (trust). Particular thanks are due to the Commonwealth Foundation and the UK Department for International Development for their financial support during the first phase of the work of the CCGHS. Finally thanks are due to Ambassador Charles A Liburd for his diligent editing of the reports prepared for the CCGHS.