Action Framework for Implementation of The New Urban Agenda (AFINUA)

The world is experiencing an unprecedented transition from predominantly rural to mainly urban living, with more than 55 percent of the world’s population already living in urban areas and this figure is set to rise to 70 percent by the middle of the 21st century. Cities are synonyms of progress and growth, but some have become niches of poverty and inequality presenting city authorities with complex challenges. Cities are constantly evolving and are transitioning faster than at any point in history and managing this change is becoming a difficult proposition. City authorities are closest to the citizens and ground-level realities and therefore play a key role in providing the impetus for progress. Fundamentally, city authorities are empowered, to enable them to meet their obligations and reach the objectives to realize sustainable urban development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the importance of urban development in providing a better quality of life to people across the globe. SDG 11 guides city authorities to renew cities and human settlements that promote community cohesion, employment, a sense of security, well-being for all, and better environment management. It has close relevance to the New Urban Agenda and presents an opportunity to complement and integrate efforts to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The participation of city authorities is vital in evaluating the results, the outcomes, and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The New Urban Agenda is an ambitious agenda that aims at paving the way towards making cities and human settlements more inclusive and ensuring that everyone can benefit from urbanization. The strategies embodied in the New Urban Agenda comprise national urban policies, rules and regulations, urban planning and design, financing urbanization, and of course, their local implementation. These five strategies are the key principles for achieving sustainable development and growth. Now is the time for transformational urbanization to be promoted as a centerpiece of development policy at the international, national, and local levels.