With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? 1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all. 2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only. 3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Option (b) is correct because UN-Habitat is the United Nations’ lead agency for sustainable urbanization, mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements and provide adequate shelter for all, which includes improving access to water and sanitation. Statement 2 is incorrect because UN-Habitat collaborates with a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and academic institutions, rather than being restricted "only" to governments or local authorities. The core concept being tested is the mandate, scope, and partnership framework of specialized United Nations agencies.