In a coup for the region, Compass Housing is bringing an international conference on affordable living in sustainable cities to the region. The Affordable Living in Sustainable Cities international congress, jointly convened by the New Urban Agenda (NUA) Standing Conference and by EAROPH as its 2018 World Congress, will be held in Newcastle on November 1 to 3.

Congress Organising Chairman, Compass Housing’s Professor David Adamson OBE said the conferences will feature national and world experts on implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the NUA, the outcome document from the UN Habitat lll Conference held in Quito in 2016.

David said the congress will showcase existing and planned actions that support the achievement of the SDGS and NUA. He said a key objective is to develop synergy between these two critically important frameworks. Congress themes cover the full range of Sustainable Development Goals and address social issues such as housing, poverty, health and hunger as well as physical issues in the urban environment such as water, sanitation, transport and energy.

“These two agreements are closely connected; the NUA is the delivery vehicle for implementing SDGs in urban settlements,” David said.

“There are 17 SDGs that commit nations to ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all.

“Australian cities are not affordable or sustainable, so it is vital that we work together on solutions.”

David said hosting the Congress was a coup for a regional centre such as Newcastle and brings a boost to the region’s economy.

Guests speakers at the Congress include Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Claire Moore; Minister for Housing and Local Government, Malaysia, Yb Puan Hajah Zuraida Bindi Kamaruddin; Sustainable Futures Australia, Collaborative Planning for Sustainable Futures, Leadership by Local, Regional and State Authorities, Peter Cumin, MD; and Director of United Nations Global Compact-Cities Programme, Michael Nolan.

More than 300 delegates from around Australia are expected to attend as well as some international dignitaries.

The conference launch, held in Newcastle on September 26, outlined work being done by local organisations to implement SDGs into their planning. City of Newcastle has incorporated the SDGs into its community strategic plan. Hunter Water has adopted the SDGs, aligning them with its 2017+3 Strategy.

Hunter Water’s Managing Director, Jim Bentley said Hunter Water was proud to support the NUA Congress.

“As an enabler of the sustainable growth of the Lower Hunter, we have a key role to play as a partner in delivering good development,” Jim said.

“The NUA Congress provides a unique opportunity to bring together international thought leaders and to showcase the leadership of our region in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda.”

The Congress will be held at City Hall from November 1 to 3. It is being supported by local organisations including City of Newcastle and Hunter Water, as well as RMIT University and the Global Cities Compact Committee.

IMAGE | The Affordable Living in Sustainable Cities international congress, jointly convened by the New Urban Agenda (NUA) Standing Conference and by EAROPH as its 2018 World Congress, will be held in Newcastle in November.