Housing development in the OPT – UN-Habitat Governing Council 22nd session – Resolution

Resolution 22/11: Human settlements development in the occupied Palestinian territory

The Governing Council,

Recalling its resolutions pertaining to the global development of human settlements, in particular the consolidation of the efforts of the international community and its organizations to provide adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world as elaborated in the Habitat Agenda,¹ and recalling relevant resolutions of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements,

Recognizing the need for continued cooperation between member States within the spirit of the Declaration on Cities and other Human Settlements in the New Millennium² to achieve practical programmes that enhance sustainable shelter development goals,

Expressing concern about the significant humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which poses extraordinary challenges associated with the rehabilitation of destroyed housing, property and infrastructure, in addition to the continued deterioration in the human settlements and the housing conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, and the need to enable rapid recovery and reconstruction alongside humanitarian interventions, including concerted efforts for the smooth flow of building materials in accordance with guidelines agreed upon by all parties;

Recalling its resolution 19/18 of 9 May 2003, which endorsed the establishment of a special human settlements programme for the Palestinian people and a technical cooperation trust fund,

Conscious of the special housing and human settlements needs of the Palestinian people and recognizing that they fall within the technical mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme,

Recognizing that shelter and human settlements are key elements in reaching a peaceful and sustainable peace in the Middle East,

Expressing the hope that the Israelis and the Palestinians will renew their efforts for peace and joint support for the special human settlements programme for the Palestinian people,

Recognizing the urgent need to resolve the long-term deterioration in the conditions of the Palestinian human settlements and the housing problems in the occupied Palestinian territory, which marks an important precedent for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme,

1. Notes with appreciation the progress made by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in the implementation of the special human settlements programme for the Palestinian people;

2. Expresses appreciation to Governments and others that have provided financial support to the special human settlements programme for the Palestinian people;

3. Calls upon member States and others in a position to do so to support the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in the immediate mobilization of financial resources to support the operation of the special human settlements programme for the Palestinian people and its trust fund;

4. Requests the Executive Director to report to the Governing Council at its twenty-third session on progress in the operations of the special human settlements programme for the Palestinian people, including progress in the mobilization of financial resources for the technical cooperation trust fund.

7th plenary meeting
3 April 2009

¹ Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), Istanbul, 3–14 June 1996 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.97.IV.6), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.

² General Assembly resolution S-25/2, annex.