Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements

The Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements was established in 1998 as a forum for the high-level exchange of views and experiences in planning the sustainable development of villages, towns and cities and to co-ordinate the Commonwealth's contribution towards implementing the UN Habitat Agenda on human settlements as well as attaining the Commonwealth's own goal:

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

In practical terms, responsibilities of the CCGHS include:

• Establishing the strategic objectives for ComHabitat
• Producing reports outlining key achievements so far, the obstacles encountered and the action that is needed to be taken by Commonwealth countries in implementing the Habitat Agenda;
• Developing proposals for practical programmes in priority areas that may be undertaken by member countries;
• Facilitating informal discussions on how the Commonwealth can contribute to the goals of the Habitat Agenda; and
• Providing strategic guidance to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s work programmes that relate to the Habitat Agenda.

The Chair of CCGHS is elected on a regional rotational basis for a period of two years, or as decided by the CCGHS. The current Chair is Kumari Selja, Minister of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation in India, who was elected at the last CCGHS held in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2007.

Commonwealth Action on Human Settlements: ComHabitat’s Strategic Plan 2007 - 2011

ComHabitat Strategic Plan 2007-2011