The World Habitat Day 2022 was celebrated on 3 October, Monday in Balıkesir, Türkiye in collaboration between Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality and UN-HABITAT under the theme ‘Mind the Gap. Leave No One and No Place Behind.’
World Habitat Day is celebrated annually on the first Monday of October and launches ‘Urban October.’ The event is observed globally with different activities and focuses on the state of human settlements and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future generations. World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the UN General Assembly and was first celebrated in 1986.
The purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on challenges and opportunities created by the fast rate of change in our cities and towns. It is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns. Discussions at World Habitat Day focused on immediate actions needed at national and local levels to close the growing gap between the haves and have-nots. The event was participated by various experts, academics and representatives of local governments besides UN officials. Mehmet Duman, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General represented the UCLG-MEWA at World Habitat Day.
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor award is one of the highlights of the World Habitat Day global observance. The award is presented to those working on sustainable urbanization, Uğur İbrahim Altay, Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality received a special citation for Scroll of Honor on behalf of UCLG from UN-HABITAT.
World Habitat Day launches Urban October – 31 days to promote a sustainable urban future. This month starts with World Habitat Day on the first Monday of October and ends with World Cities Day on 31 October.