Housing a cornerstone of Guyana’s development agenda – Min. Croal tells UN forum

Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, is representing Guyana at the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda (NUA), being held from July 16–17, 2026, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S.A.

The meeting, held under the theme “Delivering Sustainable Urbanization for All: Accelerating and Scaling Implementation of the New Urban Agenda to 2036 Together,” provides an opportunity for Member States to assess progress in implementing the NUA, renew political commitments, and identify priority actions to accelerate sustainable urban development over the next decade. Also representing Guyana were Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations and Mr. Royston Alkins, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations.

In his address, Minister Croal welcomed the convening of the High-Level Meeting and the adoption of the Political Declaration renewing the international community’s commitment to inclusive urban development.

The Minister emphasised that housing is a national priority and a cornerstone of Guyana’s development agenda.

“Housing development must not be treated as incidental to or separate from the national development agenda. It must be central to it – envisaged and planned alongside the infrastructure, public services, and economic opportunities that enable communities to thrive,” he stated.

Guided by Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, the Minister highlighted the country’s integrated approach to housing and urban development, which seeks to balance economic transformation with environmental stewardship and climate resilience.

He outlined Guyana’s ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable housing, strengthen housing finance through policy reforms and partnerships with financial institutions, regularise informal settlements, and develop communities across urban, peri-urban, rural, and Indigenous areas.

Since 2020, Guyana has allocated more than 56,000 house lots, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to expanding homeownership and creating sustainable communities supported by the infrastructure and services necessary to improve quality of life.

Minister Croal noted that these investments extend beyond the provision of land and housing. They include the development of roads and highways, drainage, water and sanitation systems, public open spaces, recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure.

He further underscored the importance of an integrated approach to development, in which land-use planning, infrastructure investment, and community development are pursued together to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable neighbourhoods.

Addressing the issue of climate resilience, Minister Croal highlighted Guyana’s vulnerability as a low-lying coastal state, with approximately 90 per cent of the population residing along the coast. He pointed to the development of Silica City as an example of Guyana’s long-term approach to climate-smart urban development. The planned modern urban centre is envisioned to support sustainable growth, reduce development pressures along the country’s vulnerable coastline, and demonstrate the importance of long-term planning in building resilient communities.

Looking ahead to 2036, Minister Croal said the challenge is no longer one of policy ambition, but implementation at scale. He called for a whole-of-society approach, stronger partnerships, greater international cooperation, and increased focus on financing for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to ensure that global commitments translate into measurable outcomes.