ASIA PACIFIC MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT (APMCHUD)

Framework for the Executive Secretariat of the
Bureau of APMCHUD

1.    The Mandatory Framework of APMCHUD:

a.    Encourage and promote the strengthening of good urban governance in Asia Pacific and  serve as a platform for advocacy of inclusive urban governance;

b.    Enhance role of gender in local government management for the development process, to be achieved by providing bigger role for women in local governance, particularly in areas related to slum eradication programmes;

c.    Champion and support innovative housing, urban development and land management practices in Asia-Pacific;

d.    Promote development of appropriate housing and low-cost construction technology for rural and urban housing;

e.    Facilitate South-South and international exchanges of expertise, research, experience and best practices in human settlements  among private sector, civil society and other stakeholders in the region;

f.    Develop a better understanding of urban land dynamics that can lead to improved land tenure and to the growth of urban land markets in Asia-Pacific;
 
g.    Provide and promote a supportive environment for informal sector activities, including street vending, within national regulatory framework;

h.    Support relief and rehabilitation of shelter and human settlements development in post-conflict and post-disaster situations;

i.    Urge development partners and multi-lateral agencies to assist Asia Pacific countries on financing housing and urban infrastructure development;

j.    Promote capacity building efforts and encourage strong ties between research institutions to understand better the economic, legal and financial importance of housing urban development and urban land in Asia-Pacific;

k.    Encourage the collection and sharing of data and information that can improve the planning and management of urban development;

l.    Promote the institutionalization of a culture for urban planning including the preparation of urban strategic plans at both national and local authority level;

m.    Encourage the mobilization of domestic financial resources for housing and urban development and promote the necessary partnerships for attainment of this objective;

n.    Mainstream urban and other issues dealing with human settlements in the macro-economic frameworks and national budgets of Asia-Pacific governments;

o.    Provide a focal point to link relevant aspects of regional strategic initiatives as well as international processes and undertakings consistent with the agenda for sustainable urbanization;

p.    Encourage partnerships with private sector for shelter , urban infrastructure and services ;

q.    Undertake all other functions that will lead to the realization of the goals of the Enhanced Framework of Implementation for Housing and Human Settlements in Asia-Pacific adopted by this Conference;

r.    Explore possibilities of establishing a regional fund for housing finance for the poor;

s.    Encourage fast-track implementation of water and sanitation programmes to achieve the MDG targets;

t.    Promote broad-based participation, taking into account the issues related to youth, women, disabled, and vulnerable groups;

u.  Promote and encourage policies and programmes that are people centric and community based;

v.   Promote a sense of urban citizenship through fostering civic responsibilities.

w. Address the negative impact of natural disasters and conflicts and the importance of social peace and harmony  on the living conditions in towns and cities; and

x.  Promote integrated and sustainable rural and urban development to address the problems of urbanization

 2.    Vision and Mission

In order to make these Mandatory Framework operational, the Vision and Mission may be as follows:

VISION : Global Knowledge hub and facilitator of human settlement development.
MISSION : Promoting Sustainable Development of Human Settlements in Asia Pacific Region.

3.     Executive Secretariat

To implement the Vision, Mission and the mandate outlined in the Enhanced Framework and Delhi Declaration,  an Executive Secretariat needs to be set-up.

The Executive Secretariat shall be responsible for:
1.    Providing technical advice to the Conference, Bureau and member countries
2.    Knowledge and documentation centre of APMCHUD
3.    Carrying out technical  administrative functions of APMCHUD & Bureau
4.    Developing systems and processes for efficient working of APMCHUD
5.    Representing, & signing official documentation as  mandated
6.    Developing a programme and campaigns for APMCHUD
7.    Developing and Building Capacity for APMCHUD
8.    Preparing background documents for members of Bureau
9.    Maintaining a relationships with Governments, multilateral institutions, other support structure
10.    Maintaining database on the areas of work of APMCHUD
11.    Facilitating Technical assistance to member countries
12.    Planning and arranging country or regional visits
13.    Recruiting and sourcing expert services on urban development (p).
14.    Collation and dissemination of innovative construction methodologies, methods of financing, sources of financing including public-private partnerships and government subsidies with particular reference to extending affordable housing to the low income population.  
15.    Provide necessary available information to the member country, wherever the APMCHUD conference is scheduled to happen.  

To achieve this, following need to be set up and the structure of the Secretariat will be as follows:
I)     STRUCTURE OF SECRETARIAT
a)    Head of Secretariat
Head of the secretariat  will be required to:
1.    Supervise personnel, strategic and operational planning, the coordination of activities and the implementation of the operational plans of APMCHUD.
2.    Liaise with Governments and multilateral organizations, the private sector and none-governmental organizational.
3.    Develop & facilitate implementation of the APMCHUD programme of action.
4.    Oversee and control budget expenditures and outputs
5.    Facilitate, arrange and coordinate meetings of the APMCHUD/Bureau and keep records of all the meetings
6.    Provide administrative support for meetings in respect of documentation, taking minutes and the distribution of the agenda
7.    Plan and facilitate country and regional programmes of APMCHUD
8.    Develop a reporting framework for APMCHUD and for the activities of the Bureau;
9.    Develop and promote systems to effect cooperation and coordination between Governments, multilateral institutions and private sector.
b)    Technical Experts
The incumbents will be response for the following:
1.    Providing  technical leadership to the secretariat
2. Developing and monitoring norms and standards to achieve best practices in urban development and the implementation of human settlements.
3.    Rendering, developing and providing a framework for assessing the progress being made in the achievement objectives of APMCHUD
4.     Supporting the development and implementation of the vision and objectives of APMCHUD by rendering research support.

c) Office Administrator                                            
The day-to-day management of the office of the Executive Secretariat, incorporating the following:

(i)    The management of the financial and accounting systems in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations governing public service;
(ii)    Financial planning and the preparation of fundraising proposal;
(iii)    Providing basic administrative systems and support.

d)    Support staff

(i)    To provide secretarial assistance to the Head of secretariat
(ii) Making of travel, accommodation and other logical arrangements.
(iii) Handling and processing of subsistence and travel advances and claims;
(iv) Screening of calls and arranging meetings and keeping a diary for the Head of Secretariat;
(v) The typing of correspondence and the maintenance of a filling system and registry of all correspondence and documentation being handled by the Head of Secretariat.