About UN-Habitat

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. It promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.

UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026 - 2029

UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan for the period 2026 - 2029 (decision 2/6) was approved at the resumed second session of its Assembly in May 2025. The Plan responds to the global housing crisis by placing adequate housing, land and basic services at the centre of sustainable urbanization. It aims to generate transformative impact by addressing poverty and inequality, climate change, and crises of natural and human origin through a people-centred and rights-based approach. It calls for strengthened commitment and collaboration to ensure universal access to adequate, safe and affordable housing and to drive the transformation of informal settlements and slums. The Plan also sets out clear priorities for action and identifies five means of implementation: integrated urban and territorial planning, management, investment and finance; participatory multilevel governance and the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); knowledge, data, digitalization and capacity development; partnerships, coalitions, advocacy and communication; and effective resource mobilization.

UN-Habitat’s engagement in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asian Regions

The Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) for Europe and Central Asia serves as a unified framework for all UN entities working on sustainable development in the region. It aims to ensure comprehensive collaboration and coordination across UN assets to address challenges that extend beyond individual country borders. The RCP offers policy support and expertise tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each region, supporting Resident Coordinators and UN country teams at the country level. Chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General and co-chaired by the Executive Secretary of UNECE and the Regional Director of UNDP, the RCP includes a wide array of UN member organizations, fostering a multi-agency approach to regional development initiatives. UN Country Teams representing programme countries in Europe and Central Asia are as follows, and for ease of reference organized in sub-regions: (1) Southeastern Europe/ Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo1 Team, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia; (2) Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia; (3) Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; and (4) Other countries: Belarus, Moldova, Türkiye, Ukraine.

UN-Habitat, as an active participant in the Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP), aligns with the sub-regional approach. Serving as a non-resident agency in most locations within the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), UN-Habitat has experienced limited direct engagement with governments regarding housing and sustainable development. Besides having a project office in Kosovo* and various initiatives in Serbia, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Moldova, new project offices were established in Azerbaijan and Ukraine in 2023. A new regional office is currently being established in Istanbul, Türkiye and plans are in progress for a project office in Turkmenistan in 2026. Consequently, the organization extends technical support to UNCTs, under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), leveraging headquarter’s- and regionally led initiatives and guidance. In this context, UN-Habitat has actively contributed to the updating of Common Country Analyses (CCA) and the implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF), applying the United Nations System-Wide Strategy on Sustainable Urban Development.

Background to the consultancy

In preparation for the 13th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) that will be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan from 17 to 22 May 2026, several countries in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia are planning National and Regional Urban Fora. These gatherings are viewed as essential fora for sharing knowledge, developing knowledge and forging partnerships regarding urban issues, with the aim to improve relevant policies and advocate for sustainable urbanization on a global, national, local, and neighborhood scale.

The theme of WUF13 “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities” will shine a global spotlight on the urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development.

Objectives of the consultancy

Through this consultancy, UN-Habitat seeks external expertise to mobilize key urban stakeholders in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia for WUF13 and beyond, UN-Habitat’s team will support this effort in close collaboration with UN Resident Coordinator Offices located in the region. Under the overall supervision of the Inter-Regional Advisor and in coordination with UN-Habitat’s Regional Office and the WUF13 Coordination Office, the consultant will lead the mobilization of speakers, stakeholder groups, national and local government representatives, civil society, academia and private sector towards WUF13, ensuring strong regional engagement and targeted outreach.

• Substantive support: Provide technical support to countries in organizing upcoming National and Regional Urban Forums ensuring strong alignment with WUF13 objectives and the New Urban Agenda (NUA), facilitate linkages between national and regional forums and WUF13 to ensure their outcomes inform the Forum’s sessions and global discussions.
• Mobilization: Map and engage key institutions, networks, and organizations to lead or co-organize high-impact sessions at WUF13, organize national and regional events, seminars, and awareness sessions on WUF13 in coordination with UN-Habitat offices and partners, host monthly virtual information sessions covering the WUF13 theme, programme, dialogues, and partner-led event opportunities.
• Liaison with country focal points: Liaise and problem solve with country focal points on an

• Substantive support: Provide technical support to countries in organizing upcoming National and Regional Urban Forums ensuring strong alignment with WUF13 objectives and the New Urban Agenda (NUA), facilitate linkages between national and regional forums and WUF13 to ensure their outcomes inform the Forum’s sessions and global discussions.
• Mobilization: Map and engage key institutions, networks, and organizations to lead or co-organize high-impact sessions at WUF13, organize national and regional events, seminars, and awareness sessions on WUF13 in coordination with UN-Habitat offices and partners, host monthly virtual information sessions covering the WUF13 theme, programme, dialogues, and partner-led event opportunities.
• Liaison with country focal points: Liaise and problem solve with country focal points on an