OPENING & WELCOME
Good Day, Salam Sejahtera. As-salāmu ʿalaykum! 

1. It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the World Habitat Day 2026 in the Sultanate of Oman. We come together to reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing adequate, affordable and sustainable housing for all, and to building inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities and communities around the world. 

2. Although I cannot be with you in person, it is a privilege to join you virtually from Malaysia. I extend my deepest gratitude to our Omani hosts and the UN-Habitat team for launching Urban October from Muscat—a city that beautifully pairs historic heritage with sustainable urban expansion. 

THE SCALE OF THE CRISIS
3. This year, we focus on a fundamental pillar of human dignity: "Adequate Housing for All." 

4. True urban stewardship means building a foundation where future generations can thrive. However, we find that the fundamental right to shelter and housing is coming under tremendous pressure. Adequate housing is not a luxury—it is a fundamental human right, the basis for human development, healthcare, economic opportunity, and social stability. 

5. Factual evidence describes a dire situation all across the world: 
- Globally, an estimated 2.8 billion people face housing inadequacy. 
- Nearly 1.1 billion people live in slums and informal settlements. 
- Millions are exposed to heatwaves, flooding, and economic displacement. 

6. Behind these numbers are real human lives. Without legal security, families face constant fear of eviction. Without basic sanitation and clean water, children suffer preventable diseases. And without climate-resilient housing, vulnerable communities continue to suffer the hardest hits of environmental disaster. 

THE ACTIONABLE CALL
- Treat housing as a public good. 
- Upgrade informal settlements. 
- Align with global frameworks, including SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda. 

CLOSING 
7. When we secure a home, we transform a life. When we plan inclusive cities, we build a resilient planet. 

8. Let the vision of Muscat inspire us to plant the seeds of equitable, dignified housing for everyone, everywhere. Let us turn today's pledge into tomorrow's built reality. 

Thank you, and Shukran jazīlan!