From 21 – 25 April 2025, UN-Habitat participated in the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) under the theme “Regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific.” The high-level event, held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, gathered government officials, policymakers and development partners from across the region to discuss pressing development issues and foster regional cooperation. 

UN-Habitat Executive Director Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach participated in the opening session and high-level dialogues, where she emphasized the agency’s dedication to advance in inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities and communities across the Asia-Pacific. During her keynote speech, she highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration with member States through UN-Habitat’s upcoming Strategic Plan 2026–2029, which can serve as a framework to deepen partnerships, particularly through initiatives that promote inclusive planning, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable housing systems.  

As part of its active engagement in the Commission Session, UN-Habitat hosted an exhibition stand showcasing its work in the region, highlighting urban transformation initiatives, and the partnership with Minecraft as an innovative planning tool to engage youth in city planning. The agency also organized and co-hosted 13 side events, convening urban stakeholders to exchange knowledge on a range of topics including affordable housing, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, digital tools for urban governance, and multilevel cooperation for SDG localization. 

UN-Habitat’s participation in the 81st ESCAP session marks a renewed commitment to regional partnerships that foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures in Asia and the Pacific.