9 July 2009: The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) organized the first Habitat Business Forum from 7-9 July 2009, in New Delhi, India, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries, the Indian Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and the China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce. Under the theme innovative cities, the Forum brought together representatives from government, civil society and the private sector to discuss urban challenges, as well as sustainable and innovative solutions through public-private community partnerships.

In her opening statement, Anna Tibaijuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, underlined that the effects of climate change on cities have already materialized in some parts of the world and that the “worst affected are those who contributed the least to its cause.”
At the Forum, the Habitat Business Awards were presented to five global companies, including “Adopt a Light” from Kenya for its innovative street lighting system, and “China Merchants Property” for its clean urban energy solutions that help mitigate the effects of climate change. [UN-HABITAT press release] [The statement]