Kathmandu | 5 May 2026

On April 03, 2026, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), in collaboration with UN-Habitat Nepal, hosted a roundtable discussion on "Access to Housing in Nepal: From Dialogue to Collective Action" to tackle the increasing housing challenges in Nepal. The discussion, focused on inclusive and affordable social housing brought together government officials, urban planners, housing experts, academia, and social organizations. This event served as a prelude to the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF 13), scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to May 22, 2026, under the theme "Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities".

In his welcome remarks, Dilip Bhandari, Joint Secretary of MoUD, stressed that housing should be understood beyond its physical aspects. He highlighted its strong ties to livelihoods, culture, and social and economic conditions. He called for updated regulations, and better coordination among concerned institutions.