The “Washington Consensus” is mainly wonky jargon that refers to the quantitative world of macroeconomics and is typically reserved for the International Monetary Fund and central banking authorities. But its policies go a long way in explaining the international community’s foremost gathering on urbanization and sustainable development, says the head of U.N. Habitat.
An estimated 30,000 participants from government, private industry and civil society will gather in Quito, Ecuador, for the Habitat III summit that will convene on Oct. 17. Their mission: to deliberate the future of cities and sustainable urbanization.
Devex spoke with the person who will facilitate much of that discussion: Joan Clos, executive director of U.N. Habitat and secretary-general of Habitat III. He will preside over the ceremony when the 193 member states of the United Nations adopt the so-called New Urban Agenda — the international community’s principal framework for sustainable urbanization.
About the author
Naki B. Mendozamfbmendoza
Naki is a former reporter, he covered the intersection of business and international development. Prior to Devex he was a Latin America reporter for Energy Intelligence covering corporate investments and political risks in the region’s energy sector. His previous assignments abroad have posted him throughout Europe, South America, and Australia.
