UNECE Ministerial meeting on housing affordability and sustainability and the 86th session of the Committee on Housing, Urban Development and Land Management
On 8 October 2025, Ministers from UNECE member States convened to discuss the urgent challenges and strategic priorities of housing affordability and sustainability. The meeting provided a platform for Ministers to share national experiences, highlight key policy actions, and propose strategic solutions to advance access to sustainable and affordable housing across the region.
During the meeting, Ms. Alona Shkrum, First Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, delivered a statement highlighting the immense housing challenges faced by Ukraine as a result of the ongoing conflict. She emphasized the destruction of residential infrastructure, the urgent need for large-scale reconstruction, and the importance of developing a transparent and inclusive housing policy framework to ensure access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for displaced persons and returning communities.
UNECE Photo by Violaine Martin
A key outcome of the meeting was a ministerial commitment towards promoting sustainable and affordable housing as a foundation for inclusive and resilient urban development.
The Housing Ministerial Meeting took place within the framework of the eighty-sixth session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management, held in Geneva from 8 to 10 October 2025.
During the Committee Session on Friday, 10 October, the UN4UkrainianCities project was presented, showcasing the results achieved during Phase I and introducing the ongoing activities under Phase II (April 2025 – September 2026).