20 June 2012: UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser announced the appointment of two co-facilitators for the preparations of the third UN conference on housing and sustainable urban development (Habitat III), to be convened in 2016. The conference will have a focus on reinvigorating the “global commitment to sustainable cities.”

In a letter to UN Member States on 20 June 2012, Al-Nasser notes that in December 2011, the UNGA decided that the scope, modalities, format and organization of the Conference are to be considered before the end of 2012. Al-Nasser has appointed Ambassador Jean-Francis Zinsou (Benin), and Ambassador Pajo Avirovikj (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), to undertake the needed consultations. [Letter from UNGA President] [IISD RS Story on UNGA Decision to Convene Habitat III]