Slovakia is set to establish a UN-HABITAT regional center for the Sustainable Resilience of Cities for the Next Generation (SURGe) project, following approval by the government. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment Tomáš Taraba announced the agreement with Anacláudia Rossbach, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Program, to host the center. Taraba highlighted that this move places Slovakia at the forefront of a key UN policy and offers significant visibility for the country. “By hosting a UN regional center, Slovakia will be on the global map in an important agenda,” he said, emphasizing the opportunity for local urban planners, scientists, and universities to engage in prestigious projects.
The center will focus on improving urban life quality in the face of climate change, a growing challenge as urban populations continue to rise. Slovakia's participation in this initiative aligns with global climate goals, with the Ministry of the Environment noting that the center will coordinate efforts in Europe and collaborate with UN entities, the EU, and other partners. The project will be co-financed by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, offering a unique opportunity for Slovak experts, universities, and businesses to contribute to global urban sustainability efforts.
Source: TASR
