In Paris: Shakeel Mohamed Advocates for Sustainable Cities Facing the Challenges of Island States

In Paris, Shakeel Mohamed voiced the concerns of Mauritius regarding climate and urban challenges. He advocated for sustainable and inclusive policies, stressing the need for enhanced international cooperation to support small island states and build resilient cities.

From April 14 to 17, 2025, the Minister of Lands and Housing, Shakeel Mohamed, participated in the OECD Urban Days in Paris. This international summit gathered policymakers, local elected officials, funders, and civil society representatives to address global urban issues.

As a distinguished speaker at the opening ceremony, the minister represented the voice of small island developing states (SIDS), highlighting their unique challenges in the face of urbanization and climate change. Alongside international figures such as Mathias Cormann (OECD Secretary-General), Anacláudia Rossbach (UN-Habitat), Anne Hidalgo (Mayor of Paris), and Yuriko Koike (Governor of Tokyo), Shakeel Mohamed underscored the structural vulnerability of countries like Mauritius. He cited the recent impacts of Cyclone Chido on Agaléga as a concrete example of the urgent need for resilient and environmentally responsible infrastructure.

Island States

The minister called for strengthening international cooperation and increasing funding to enable island states to implement sustainable urban policies. He also outlined Mauritius's initiatives in sustainable social housing, modernized land management, and strategic land use planning. Additionally, he highlighted the financial constraints that hinder the adoption of climate-adapted solutions. On the sidelines of the event, Shakeel Mohamed met with Gaëtan Siew, a Mauritian expert collaborating with UN-Habitat, to explore technical partnership opportunities between Mauritius and this UN agency.

The Mauritian mission also allowed the minister to participate in several key working sessions, including the launch of the report "Cities for All," which addresses demographic aging in OECD cities and proposes inclusive policies in this regard. He also attended the 7th meeting of the Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth, where discussions focused on reducing urban inequalities, sustainable mobility, inclusive planning, and innovative financing mechanisms.

Urban Planning

The discussions emphasized the central role of local authorities in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supported by various case studies from pioneering cities. Mauritius's participation in this international forum reflects a strong commitment to inclusive urban planning based on resilience and innovation, paving the way for enhanced cooperation with the OECD and its partners.