Maimunah Mohd Sharif

Maimunah Mohd Sharif is the executive director of UN-Habitat. Sharif has re-positioned UN-Habitat as a thought leader in sustainable urbanization and as an agency that advocates for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the nationally determined contributions to the Paris Agreement. Prior to this appointment, Sharif was the mayor of the City Council of Penang Island, Malaysia. In 2011, she became the first woman to be appointed president of the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai.

Latest Articles

Opinion: As cities lead on climate, national governments must pitch in

over 3 years ago // Climate change

In order to grow sustainably and ensure our planet remains habitable in the long term, we must create cleaner, more liveable cities. Without bold leadership and the proper resources, this is next to impossible, the head of UN-Habitat writes in this op-ed.

Opinion: Housing must be at the heart of the COVID-19 response and recovery

over 5 years ago // Housing

Many pandemic emergency response measures have shown that the right to housing can be realized when governments put it at the center of their political agenda. Ahead of World Cities Day, this op-ed outlines three actions that can be taken.

Opinion: Slums are the next front line in the fight against the coronavirus

almost 6 years ago // COVID-19

Now is the moment for governments in the global south to take action in informal settlements — before major outbreaks occur. In this op-ed, UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif explains how.

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