World Habitat Day

• 09 Oct 2025

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) celebrated World Habitat Day 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with the theme "Urban Solutions to Crisis." 

• The event highlighted the importance of making cities more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable in addressing challenges like climate change, migration, and rapid urbanisation. 

Key Points 

• Background: In 1985, the United Nations designated the first Monday of October each year as World Habitat Day. World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986, with the theme "Shelter is My Right", and Nairobi was the host city.  
• Objective: This day serves to reflect on the state of our habitats and emphasises the fundamental right of all individuals to have access to adequate shelter.  
• Theme 2025: The theme for World Habitat Day 2025, observed on 6th October, is ‘Urban Crises Response,’ focusing on addressing various crises, such as climate change and conflicts, that contribute to inequality in urban areas, while promoting effective crisis response tools and approaches.

Scroll of Honour Award 

• Launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 1989, the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award is the most prestigious global recognition for human settlements.  
• This award acknowledges exceptional contributions in areas such as: 
  • Shelter provision (adequate, affordable housing). 
  • Highlighting the plight of the homeless. 
  • Leadership in post-conflict reconstruction. 
  • Improving urban life quality and human settlements.