Front page of New Urban Agenda briefIFLA’s new briefing provides an overview of the New Urban Agenda, and highlights where libraries and library associations may be able to draw on it in their advocacy.


The New Urban Agenda, agreed in 2016, offers a form of 2030 Agenda for local governments in promoting strong, sustainable and equitable cities and human settlements. Agreed at the HABITAT III Conference with over 30 000 delegates in attendance, it sets out a roadmap for 20 years.

Compared to the UN’s 2030 Agenda, it has a much stronger focus on culture and heritage, as well as on the importance of universal public services.

As such, it represents a useful reference point for libraries in advocacy on a wider range of issues, also including public spaces, access to information and communications technology, and skills provision.

Download the briefing as a pdf.