HUD Chief Tapped to Lead UN Delegation

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro has received his first diplomatic assignment as the head of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), which will take place from Oct. 17-20 in Quito, Ecuador.

The Habitat conferences are held every 20 years, and Habitat III focuses on sustainable urban development, and HUD released “The U.S. 20/20 Habitat III Report” report that detailed the federal response to the subject over the past two decades. Castro and Secretary of State John Kerry co-chair the U.S. Habitat III National Committee, and the former San Antonio mayor met at United Nations headquarters in May with local government leaders from around the world to discuss the Habitat III agenda.

“In this ‘Century of Cities,’ there is more demand than ever to expand opportunity in urban communities around the world,” said Castro in a statement issued by HUD. “It is an honor to lead the U.S. delegation in Quito as we work with global partners to set a path forward for prosperity, growth and equal opportunity.”