The delegation met with the governors of Aleppo and Idleb, Mr. Azzam al-Gharib and Mr. Mohamed Abdel Rahman respectively to discuss priorities and explore ways to strengthen partnerships and cooperation to help Syria rebuild and recover from nearly 14 years of crisis.It reiterated the UN’s commitment to support the Interim Government and the people of Syria at this crucial time.The delegation also met with displaced communities and returnees from inside and outside Syria to learn more about the challenges they are facing, and the need to prioritise restoring livelihoods and basic services to ensure safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable returns.“I have witnessed firsthand the immense needs of children and families, but I was also inspired by their resilience and determination to rebuild and recover from the years of war towards a better future,” said Mr. Abdelmoula. “The people of Syria deserve all the support the international community can offer and now is the time to act.”Syria remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises where more than 16 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.  The country’s basic infrastructure was destroyed, disrupting the provision of essential services.With the Humanitarian Response Plan for January to June 2025 only 15.9% funded, this gross underfunding could almost certainly have catastrophic results.Under the leadership of H.E. Minister of Health, Dr. Musab Al-Ali, and the Governor of Idleb, the delegation participated in the launch of rehabilitation works at the Ma'arrat An Nu'man National Hospital. Supported by Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HIFHAD), upon its completion, the hospital is expected to restore essential health services for more than 400,000 people in the area.The UN delegation also visited Ma'arrat An Nu'man primary health care centre,  which was rehabilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, with support from GAVI, the vaccine alliance. It reopened in 2025 for the area, serving 100,000 people with primary health care, vaccination, emergency care, and maternity care with only one midwife attending to more than 100 births per month.In Aleppo, the delegation visited Al-Hashmyee School, which had been out of service for over 10 years, and was rehabilitated by the United Nations Children’s Fund - UNICEF in 2022 and now provides inclusive quality education for 350 students.  It also visited Abdul Karim Najjar School, one of eight schools to be rehabilitated by the UN Joint Programme through collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF and UN-Habitat.With a budget of USD 18 million, the programme will reach over 150,000 people in eastern Aleppo between 2025–2026 by addressing multi-sectoral needs like energy, education, health, food, and jobs.Health and educational systems have been severely strained by the conflict negatively impacting access to services. In Syria, over 2.4 million children are out of school and about 15.9 million people are in need of humanitarian health assistance in 2025, while 40 per cent of the country’s schools and half of its hospitals are non-functional.“At this pivotal moment in the history, investing in the people of Syria means a brighter future for millions who have suffered greatly for a long time,” said Mr. Abdelmoula. “The people of Syria are looking upon us with open hands and hearts full of hope. We shall not let them down.”The delegation was comprised of representatives from the Resident Coordinator Office, UN-Habitat, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), WHO, UNICEF, UN World Food Programme (WFP), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNDP.For media inquiries, please contact Tamim Elyan at telyan@iom.int 

Initial reports indicate numerous fatalities and injuries, including women and children, in what appears to be a deliberate attack on a place of worship.As Syria embarks on a path towards recovery, reconciliation and rebuilding, there is no room for violence and extremism. This is a time for unity, tolerance and solidarity to create a better future for all Syrians.I offer my deepest condolences to the families of victims and to the people of Syria and reiterates the United Nation’s commitment to stand with Syria and its people. We urge all relevant authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of civilians, to bring those responsible to justice, and to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.

  

Member States endorsed UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 which focuses on addressing the global housing crisis. The Assembly further announced the theme for the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum, and elected the new President of the Assembly and 36 members of the Executive Board of UN-Habitat.
An ambitious roadmap to confront the global housing crisis
Member States adopted the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026–2029, which will guide the work of the organization over the next four years. The focus of the plan is to enable access to housing, land, and basic services. Through this focus, UN-Habitat seeks to address three key global challenges: environment and climate action; equitable and inclusive prosperity for poverty eradication; and preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction in crisis settings. The plan refl ects the priorities of Member States and aligns with the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“This Assembly was convened at a time of profound global uncertainty, but also at a moment of immense possibility,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “The Strategic Plan we have adopted is ambitious yet fi rmly grounded in realism. But strategy alone is not enough, it must be matched by concrete implementation… We look to our Member States to honour their commitments and continue their generous contributions, so that together, we can deliver transformative impact where it is needed most.”
Speaking on behalf of the host country’s President, Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya, said: “I pledge to triple contributions to UN-Habitat, reinforcing Kenya’s dedication to sustainable urban development… The right to adequate housing must transition from principle to practice…This session has reinforced our shared responsibility to action.”The Strategic Plan aims to accelerate inclusive, sustainable, and equitable transitions in cities and communities, especially in countries facing acute challenges related to climate, confl ict, and inequality. It positions adequate housing as an essential precondition to make progress towards the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals to 2030.
Theme of World Urban Forum 13 announced
Looking ahead, the Assembly confi rmed that the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2026, under the theme: “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”.
The theme builds on the outcomes of WUF12 and the Cairo Call to Action, positioning housing not only as a basic human right but also as a catalyst for climate adaptation, social inclusion, and economic opportunity.
“We are determined to work closely with a wide range of partners to turn WUF13 in Baku into a major milestone for the global housing agenda,” said Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan and WUF13 National Coordinator.
New leadership elected to UN-Habitat governance bodies
The governments of Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to jointly assume leadership of the United Nations Habitat Assembly. Malaysia will serve as President from 2025 to 2027, after which the United Arab Emirates will take over until 2029. In addition, both countries will share a seat on the Executive Board of UN-Habitat, with the UAE serving on the oversight body for the fi rst two years, followed by Malaysia for the subsequent two years.
“It is with deep humility and profound responsibility that I accept the Presidency of the UN-Habitat Assembly on behalf of the Asia-Pacifi c Group,” said Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia. “Let us strengthen UN-Habitat as a platform for thinking and doing.”
“It is a great honour to be elected as President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly and for the Executive Board, jointly with Malaysia,” said Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Director General, Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, United Arab Emirates. “This is a partnership that is marked by strategic coordination and shared by a purpose for a better future.”Over the past six years, Mexico served as the President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly. Mexico’s commitment and guidance have been instrumental in strengthening the governance of UN-Habitat and in keeping urban issues high on the international agenda.
—END—
About UN-Habitat
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity working for sustainable urbanization. With programmes in over 90 countries, it supports policymakers and communities to create socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns. UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in urban areas through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action. To know more, visit unhabitat.org or follow us on X @UNHABITAT.
Media contact for more information
Media Team UN-Habitat unhabitat-media@un.org

For years, sanctions have constrained and complicated delivery of humanitarian response and kick-starting early recovery operations. The lifting of these restrictions is expected to enable broader access to life-saving assistance, facilitate the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, and create an environment that supports responsible investment in basic services and livelihoods.It is imperative that this development translates into concrete improvements in the lives of the people of Syria. The United Nations calls for sustained efforts to ensure that the benefits of sanctions relief are felt equitably and directly by affected communities across the country.The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the people of Syria through principled humanitarian action and inclusive recovery efforts, in close coordination with all stakeholders. We urge the international community to seize this opportunity to scale up funding for Syrian humanitarian response and for Syria’s recovery in a manner that is timely, predictable, and responsive to evolving needs.The lifting of sanctions offers a renewed opportunity to help Syrians rebuild their lives in safety and dignity, and to advance toward the peace, stability, and future they rightfully deserve. The United Nations stands ready to work with all partners to ensure that this moment serves as a catalyst for long-term stability, resilience, and peace.