By Greg Scruggs and Carey L. Biron – Citiscope
Developing countries and other stakeholders are expressing concerns on two issues in particular as talks in Nairobi push forward the Habitat III process: broadening participation in that process and figuring out how to finance new, still-to-be-developed strategies around urban development.
Some 700 government representatives, multilateral officials and civil society delegates are currently in the Kenyan capital for the second of three major preparatory sessions ahead of next year’s Habitat III conference. The talks run 14-16 April.
The first “PrepCom”, which took place last fall in New York, was largely focused on technical planning. But the Nairobi meetings are offering an early opportunity for all delegates to substantively engage with the Habitat III agenda — and to study each other’s positioning.
