In the run-up to the event, the spokesperson for the Angolan delegation, Pedro Tecas, stated that Angola’s participation aims to boost the National Urban Planning and Housing Program, as well as to consolidate the country’s international commitments in the sector, according to the JA Online website.
According to the official, Angola’s participation in the forum also aims to attract new strategic partnerships capable of adding value to the continuation of housing projects and the effort to address the housing shortage.
“To date, Angola has built more than 350,000 housing units, and we want to reaffirm our commitment to continuing to promote decent housing for all Angolans,” he emphasized.
Flagship projects
During the forum, Angola will present the NjILA and SONA projects as examples of best practices currently being implemented in the country. These initiatives, funded by the World Bank, have helped strengthen urban management and improve living conditions for local communities.
The NjILA project is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the national government and local administrations in sustainable urban management, while the SONA project focuses on urban regeneration and redevelopment, including the creation of accessibility infrastructure and housing.
According to Pedro Tecas, the programs demonstrate that urban development must be linked to regional planning and the creation of municipal master plans, which are considered essential tools for ensuring more organized, inclusive, and sustainable cities.
International cooperation
Angola’s participation is part of the joint organization of the event by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, a framework that, according to the delegation, could yield significant benefits in terms of international cooperation, the exchange of experiences, and the identification of new opportunities for the urban and housing sectors.
Pedro Tecas believes that Angola will emerge from the forum with a stronger position in the international debate on housing and urbanization, in addition to sharing national experiences that have already yielded positive results.Multisectoral delegation
The Angolan delegation includes representatives from ministries, government departments, and the provincial governments of Malanje, Cuanza-Sul, Huambo, Cabinda, and Icolo e Bengo, as well as private-sector companies partnering with the government on urban and housing development.
Despite the progress made in recent years, Angola acknowledges that the housing shortage still exceeds two million homes. Nevertheless, the delegation assures that it is prepared to defend the interests of the country and the Angolan people in the international debate on cities, urbanization, and sustainable housing.
