Com Habitat

ComHabitat

What is ComHabitat?
ComHabitat is a partnership of the intergovernmental Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS) and agencies from government, local government, civil society and the private sector. 

ComHabitat aims to promote and monitor the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the Commonwealth Goal and associated Millennium Development Goals within and between Commonwealth countries. It focuses on networking and sharing practical examples of progress in implementation. 

ComHabitat is governed by the CCGHS. The ComHabitat Management Group oversee the work of the ComHabitat Secretariat and are responsible for approving and monitoring the detailed annual work plan of the ComHabitat Secretariat.

ComHabitat is developing a network to facilitate a broader engagement by many more organisations and individuals in the CCGHS process. Please contact us if you would like to become involved and kept up-to-date with our work. 

Who we are
In 1998, the Commonwealth Secretary-General established the Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS). The CCGHS is an intergovernmental group made up of Ministers who are responsible for implementing the Habitat Agenda in their own countries. At its first meeting, held in Nairobi in May 1999, the CCGHS adopted a Commonwealth goal of:

"Demonstrated progress towards adequate shelter for all with secure tenure and access to essential services in every community by 2015" .

ComHabitat consists of the CCGHS supported in practical ways by agencies from government, local government, civil society and the private sector. Currently, the key partners are the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth Association of Planners, Commonwealth Human Ecology Council, Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Homeless International, the UK Government’s Department for International Development and UN-Habitat.

ComHabitat is governed by the intergovernmental Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS). The ComHabitat Management Group oversee the work of the ComHabitat Secretariat and are responsible for approving and monitoring the detailed annual work plan of the ComHabitat Secretariat. The ComHabitat Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day programme of activities determined by the CCGHS. The Secretariat is currently hosted by Homeless International. ComHabitat is developing a Network to facilitate a broader engagement by many more organisations and individuals in the CCGHS process, please contact us if you would like to become involved and kept up-to-date with our work.

What does ComHabitat do?
ComHabitat aims to promote and monitor the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the Commonwealth Goal and associated Millennium Development Goals within and between Commonwealth countries. It focuses on networking and sharing practical examples of progress in implementation, such as successful slum upgrading initiatives. ComHabitat’s work falls into three broad areas:

• networking and advocacy;
• research and information sharing; and
• making the CCGHS ministerial process accessible to other partners implementing the Habitat agenda.

The advocacy section of the website describes how ComHabitat works to promote CCGHS priorities and international goals on human settlements within the Commonwealth and the wider international community. ComHabitat is developing a Network to facilitate a broader engagement by many more organisations and individuals in the CCGHS process; please contact us if you would like to become involved and kept up-to-date with our work.

ComHabitat has initiated two research projects to help assess: progress on internationally agreed goals on human settlements; and the availability of, and options for, urban development finance. As well as carrying out research, ComHabitat aims to help make existing information more accessible, particularly through the resources section of the website and the e-newsletter.

ComHabitat differs from other agencies and programmes in its position with respect to the CCGHS, and the lead position that Ministers have for facilitating implementation of the Habitat Agenda and achieving the Millennium Development Goals most relevant to human settlement development. The Commonwealth Secretariat convenes meetings of the CCGHS. The ComHabitat Secretariat supports the Commonwealth Secretariat in the preparation of papers and in publicising meetings to the ComHabitat network.

For further information please visit our website at www.comhabitat.org