World Habitat Day is held on the first Monday of October each year and launches Urban October. The day centers around the global observance, which is held in a different country each year with keynote speakers and roundtable discussions focused on a specific theme. World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 in Nairobi, Kenya, with the theme ‘Shelter is my right’.
On 5 October 2026, the Global Observance of World Habitat Day will be related to "Adequate Housing for All". The global housing crisis whereby an estimated 2.8 billion people face various forms of housing inadequacy, in which close to 1.1 billion reside in slums and informal settlements, calls for urgent and concerted action. World Habitat Day will consider how to realize the ambition of ensuring access to adequate housing for all as a cornerstone for achieving the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda.
Programme
5 October 2026 GLOBAL OBESERVANCE OF WORLD HABITAT DAY
| 10.30 –11:00 | ARRIVAL OF ATTENDEES (All guests to be seated by 11:00) |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | NATIONAL OBSERVANCE HIGH-LEVEL OPENING |
| 11:45 – 12:30 |
GLOBAL OBSERVANCE HIGH-LEVEL OPENING UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR AWARDS |
| 12:30 – 12:45 | SIGNING CEREMONY FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS |
| 12:45 – 13:30 | INAUGURATION OF THE EXPO |
| 15:00 – 15:45 | MINISTERIAL SEGMENT |
| 15:45 – 17:00 | FLAGSHIP DIALOGUE: ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR ALL |
| 17:00 – 17:20 | CLOSING CEREMONY |
For a detailed Programme click here.
World Habitat Day Concept Note
WHD Information for Participants
Key Messages
Meet the winners
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, launched in 1989, recognizes individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to urban development, including improving the quality of urban life for all and ensuring adequate, affordable, and accessible housing.
View past winners and their achievements here to learn more about the impactful work recognized through this prestigious award.
The UN-Habitat Special Citation is a recognition to impactful work in sustainable urbanization and improving the quality of urban life, particularly for those living in poverty or displaced by conflict.
For its significant contribution to expanding access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for low-income households.
For its pioneering contribution to advancing adequate, affordable and resilient housing for communities affected by conflict, displacement, poverty and disasters in Myanmar.
For establishing Brazil’s first municipal indigenous village and providing secure, culturally appropriate housing, essential services and legal land tenure.
For his pioneering construction solutions that transform local and mining residues into innovative, affordable and climate-resilient building materials.
For his leadership in advancing affordable and sustainable housing as well as inclusive and climate-resilient urban development in London.
Expression of Interest
CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO HOST WORLD HABITAT DAY AND WORLD CITIES DAY 2027
UN-Habitat has officially opened the call for expression of interest to host the global observances of World Habitat Day and World Cities Day in 2027. These high-profile events offer a unique opportunity to put urbanization, housing and sustainable development issues on the world stage. The call will close on 30 November 2026.
HOW TO APPLY
Countries interested in hosting either or both 2027 global observances are invited to submit their expression of interest using the guidelines.
