India elected president of UN-Habitat

India has been unanimously elected as the president of the UN-Habitat, an organ of the United Nations promoting sustainable human settlements across the globe.

UN-Habitat reports to the United Nations General Assembly.

On behalf of India, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister M Venkaiah Naidu will preside over thedeliberations of the 58-member Governing Council (GC) of the UN-Habitat for the next two years.

Currently, the GC is underway in Nairobi in Kenya which is being chaired by Naidu.

"Delighted to be elected as President of Governing Council of @UNHABITAT & chair #GC26. An opportunity to work towards a new urban future," Naidu said in a tweet.

Commenting on the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was sure that Naidu would give his best and contribute towards creating futuristic cities.

"Congratulations Venkaiah Ji. I am sure you will give your best & contribute towards creating futuristic cities," Modi tweeted.

Since the UN-Habitat came into being in 1978, it is the third time that India has been elected to lead this organisation after 2007 and 1988.

As an inter-governmental policy and decision-making body, the GC seeks to promote comprehensive approach to human settlements, assist the countries in addressing related problems and strengthen cooperation among them on the issue.