United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and Alwaleed Philanthropies (Global) Formalize Strategic Partnership
At the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and Alwaleed Philanthropies (Global) have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a contribution agreement, marking a key step in promoting inclusive and sustainable housing solutions.
The agreement supports a pilot project in Tunisia aimed at improving access to adequate housing for people with disabilities.
The agreement was signed at a high-level parallel event titled "Accessibility of Housing for People with Disabilities and Mental Well-being for Sustainable and Inclusive Cities," organized within the framework of WUF13 and inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Salah Zouari, Minister of Equipment and Housing and in charge of the management of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy in Tunisia. The signing took place in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies and Goodwill Ambassador of UN-Habitat for Arab States, alongside Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, and Rania Hedeya, Regional Director for Arab States.
The session also brought together key stakeholders from the region, including Aida Robbana, Head of UN-Habitat's office in Tunisia, and Reem Mallawi, Executive Director of Global Initiatives at Alwaleed Philanthropies, as well as other participants.
"Housing is a human right that defines dignity, autonomy, and full participation in society. Through this partnership with UN-Habitat, we are developing concrete solutions that place people with disabilities at the heart of housing policies and urban planning, demonstrating that inclusive design reinforces social cohesion and collective well-being. This initiative reflects our conviction within Alwaleed Philanthropies that investing in inclusive housing is equivalent to investing in resilient communities, and is an evolving approach capable of guiding national programs, inspiring wider regional adoption, and generating a lasting impact over the long term, in line with the global agenda for inclusive cities," said Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud.
The agreement supports the implementation of a flagship project titled "Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Housing for People with Disabilities in the Arab Region: A Pilot Project in Tunisia," aimed at expanding access to adequate housing and strengthening social inclusion.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, stated: "This partnership translates deliberate commitments into implementation. In Tunisia, we work with national partners to demonstrate concretely what inclusive housing means, adapting existing housing, influencing future developments, and integrating accessibility into the way cities are planned and built. Our goal is not only to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities but also to demonstrate that inclusive urban development is achievable, evolving, and essential to realizing the promise of sustainable cities for all."
The project, implemented in partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies (Global), will be implemented over a two-year period, from June 2025 to June 2027, with the aim of improving accessibility, inclusion, and quality of life for people with disabilities through adapted housing solutions in Tunisia.
In a context where over 500,000 people with disabilities face significant obstacles in accessing adequate housing and urban services, the project addresses persistent gaps in inclusive urban planning and housing design. It will be implemented in pilot zones in Greater Tunis and Tataouine, supporting the adaptation of existing housing and the integration of accessibility devices into new social housing projects, in coordination with national programs.
In addition to infrastructure interventions, the project will include capacity-building activities targeting public institutions, urban professionals, and people with disabilities. A central element of the initiative is the design and adaptation of at least 100 units of housing specifically adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, integrating accessibility devices and innovative solutions aimed at strengthening autonomy and well-being, and serving as an evolving model for the region.
