[Dateline: Nairobi | Author: UN-HABITAT]
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the government of Angola have signed an agreement to establish a national office in that country.
The five-year agreement was signed by UN-HABITAT Executive Director Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka and the Vice Minister for External Affairs George Rebelo Chicoty on Thursday, 12 March.
Also present were the Prime Minister Antonio Paulo Kassoma and the Minister for Urban Development and Housing Diakumpuna Sita Jose.
The agreement was the outcome of discussions Mrs. Tibaijuka held with Angolan officials when she was in Luanda for World Habitat Day celebrations last October.
It was also made possible due to the strong support of the UN Resident Coordinator in Angola, Mrs. Jocelline Basile-Finlay.
The office, to which the Angolan Government has pledged the first USD 680,000, will be responsible for promoting the implementation of UN-HABITAT global programmes and global campaigns and encouraging international cooperation to implement the Habitat Agenda. This will involve cooperating with regional and international organizations, national government, local authorities, civil society institutions and the private sector in Angola.
During the talks with the Executive Director, the government of Angola expressed the need for immediate support of UN-HABITAT on two specific matters -- land reform and housing, including social housing and finance.