Fifth Pacific Urban Forum – Accelerating the implementation of the New Urban Agenda to achieve the SDGs in the Pacific

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Fifth Pacific Urban Forum – Accelerating the implementation of the New Urban Agenda to achieve the SDGs in the Pacific

The Pacific Urban Forum (PUF) is a regional event that aims to provide a unique and accessible platform for urban stakeholders to debate what creates a sustainable urban future for the region. The first PUF in 2003 gave rise to the Pacific Urban Agenda (PUA) which was endorsed by the United Nations ESCAP Commission in 2004 and by the Pacific Island Forum Leaders in 2005. The PUFs in 2007 and 2011 reaffirmed commitment to the PUA in its format up to then.

The Fourth Pacific Urban Forum, convened by UN-Habitat and CLGF Pacific from 25 to 27 March 2015 in Nadi, Fiji, focused on sustainable urbanization in the Pacific with a view to develop a New Urban Agenda for the region. The Forum provided a multi-stakeholder platform for discussion on the opportunities of well-managed urbanization and the interlinkages between the social, economic and environmental dimensions of equitable sustainable development. It adopted The New Pacific Urban Agenda, highlighting that specific needs of the Pacific in the process of urbanization must be recognized and adequately addressed in the post-2015 development agenda. It also calls inter alia for stronger engagement of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the CROP agencies on urbanization challenges.

The Fifth Pacific Urban Forum (PUF5) is scheduled to be held in Nadi, Fiji, in the first week of July 2019. Following the adoption of the New Urban Agenda and a renewed recognition of the many opportunities and challenges for the Pacific, PUF5 will provide an inclusive multi-stakeholder platform for review of progress towards the Pacific New Urban Agenda and for exchange and dialogue for further action planning.

The PUF5 will aim to:

  • Catalyze the engagement and raise the awareness of all stakeholders for enhancing the role of Pacific cities and towns for achievement of national and regional policy frameworks and agendas;
  • Improve the mechanisms for collection and exchange of knowledge and data on sustainable urbanization in the Pacific through open and accessible platforms for debates, sharing lessons learnt, best practices and good policies;
  • Increase action amongst relevant stakeholders for implementation, review and monitoring of the Pacific New Urban Agenda including through concrete commitments from participating countries and institutions which can be followed up at subsequent key global, regional and local fora;
  • Develop new partnerships to support an enabling environment for urban development the Pacific.
Important Documents

Concept Note

New Pacific Urban Agenda

Fourth Pacific Urban Forum Report