• Ajuntamen~ 
de Barcelo~a UN~HABITAT 
FOR A BETIER URBAN FUTURE 
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERST ANDING BETWEEN 
THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME 
AND THE BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL, SPAIN 
( 
• Ajuntament 
de Barcelolla UN~HABITAT 
FOR A BETIER URBAN FUTURE 
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTA NDING BETWEEN 
TBE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME 
AND THE BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL, SPAIN 
WHEREAS the General Assembly of the United Nations established UN-HABITA T by ( 
Resolution 56/206 of 21st December 2001, transforming the already existing United Nations 
Human Settlement Office into the category of United Nations Programme. The mandate of UN­
HABITAT is inspired by the Vancouver Declaration of 1976 and the Habitat Agenda undersigned 
by member states at the UN Conference on Human Settlements in Istanbul 1976 (Habitat II). The 
organization ultimate goal is to support govemments at local, regional and national levels to achieve 
sustainable urban development and housing for all with special focus on tackling urban poverty; 
WHEREAS the B~celona City Council - Ajuntarnent de Barcelona (herinafter the 
Barcelona City Council), The Third Mayor's Tenentcy in Charge of Urban Habitat, is the focal point 
for academic excellence and knowledge as well as the centre for promoting research in Urban 
Planning. 
WHEREAS the UN-HABITAT and the Barcelona City Council (hereinafter collectively 
referred to as "the Signatories") share similar missions and wish to cooperate in areas of mutual 
concem related to urban govemance, sustainable urban development and sustainable urbanization to 
enhance the effectiveness of their development efforts; 
~ 
NOW, THEREFORE, UN-HABITAT and the Barcelona City Council (herein collectively ..._ 
referred to as the "Signatories") have entered into the present Memorandum of Understanding 
(herein referred to as the "MOU") under the following terms and conditions. 
Article 1 
Seo pe of the Agreement 
l. The purpose of this MOU is to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration 
between the Signatories, on a non-exclusive basis, in areas of common interest that are related to 
sustainable urban development. 
2. Whereas the Signatories aim to strengthen the capacities of governments, local authorities and 
other partners to positively respond to the opportunities and challenges of urbanization in order to 
transform cities into inclusive centers of vibrant economic growth, social progress, and 
environmental sustainability specifically the Signatories agree to: 
a) share experience, expertise, knowledge resources, institutiona1 networks and opportunities for 
practica! learning to support the capacity development of governments, local authorities and 
other partners; 
b) support the formulation and validation of innova ti ve new approaches for sustainable urban 
development through the identification of synergies and specific areas of cooperation within 
existing and future project portfolios of UN-Habitat and the Barcelona City Council; 
e} in response to requests from cities, collaborate in providing high quality technical expertise and 
facilitating the provision of solutions in areas such as urban planning and design, mobility, 
urban economy, municipal finance, culture and education and others by drawing on the 
professiona1 networks and university partnerships in Barcelona and elsewhere; 
d} commonly design and organize activities taking place in Barcelona able to share the city's  
experience in the field of urban govemance and accessible and efficient basic urban services. 
Article D 
Principies of the collaboration 
3. The Signatories agree to collaborate by adhering to the following principies: 
~A mutual interest in the exchange of infonnation and ideas; 
b} mutual interest in promoting capacity development, learning, and technical assistance to . 
enhance impact and sustainabiJity; 
e} promotion of consultative and collaborative approach in the design and implementation of 
collaborative activities; 
d) informing the public ofthe Signatories' cooperative efforts and their results as appropriate; 
e) sharing and promoting the exchange of innovative practices prov en to provide results; 
Article lll 
Responsibilities of the Signatories 
4. The Signatories agree to carry out their respective responsibilities in accordance with the provisions 
of this MOU. The Signatories agree to joint efforts and to maintain a close working relationship in 
order to achieve the objectives ofthis collaboration. 
5. The Signatories shall keep each other informed of all reJevant activities pertaining to this 
coiJaboration and shall hold consultations on a regular basis in order to evaluate progress in the 
implementation ofthis MOU. 
6. The Signatories shall refrain from any action that may adversely affect the interests of the other 
Signatory and shall fulfill their commitments with fullest regard for the terms and conditions of this 
MOU and the principies ofthe United Nations and UN·Habitat. 
7. All press releases or public statements relative to this MOU or its implementation must be approve~~ 
by both Signatories, in writing, prior to release or disclosure. 
8. The Signatories shall establish working focal points to ensure proper implementation ofthis MOU. 
Article IV 
Barcelona City Council's Responsibilities 
9. The responsibilities ofthe Barcelona City Council are: 
a) to support the mobilization of financia) and human resources frorn govemrnent, prívate sector, 
and other partners for the purposes of developing and implementing programmes, projects and 
events to strengthen the capacities of requesting govemments, local authorities and other 
partners; 
b) to support the identification, documentation, analysis and promotion of urban innovations in 
Barcelona for the benefit of requesting governments, local authorities and other partners; 
1 
e) to foster the development of new paradigms in urban development and management based on_ _..,  
the tangible experiences of Barcelona City Council; 
d) to provide access to leaming opportunities for individuals of requesting govemments, local 
authorities and other partners;through case studies of Barcelona, on-the job leaming within the 
Barcelona City Council, and other means; 
e) to provide overall coordination and/or facilitation for local partners to support the 
implementation ofthe MOU; 
f) to participate in UN·Habitat events for the purposes of sharing leaming and practices; 
g) to promote, through its intemational Jinks and networks, the experiences, knowledge resources, 
innovations and leaming initiatives implemented through this MOU. 
Article V 
UN-Habitat's Responsibilities 
1O . The responsibiHties ofUN-Habitat are: 
a) to link demand from requesting governments, local authorities and other partners to the supply 
of expertise, knowledge and learning opportunities available in the Barcelona City Council ; 
b) to avail or facilitate access to its field experiences, knowledge, and current capacity 
development and training methodologies to benefit the formulation and implementation of the 
joint programmes, projects and events through a collaborative process of engagement with the 
Barcelona City Council; 
e) to prov ide selected programmes, projects and events with advisory support and technical 
expertise from within UN-Habitat and its academic partners and other networks; 
d) to invite the Barcelona City CounciJ to participate in key events such as the World Urban Forum 
and other meetings as relevant for the purposes of sharing leaming and practices; 
e) to promote the innovations and new paradigms developed through this MOU in relevant 
internationaJ meetings, conferences and other events. 
Article VI 
Monitoring and Evaluation 
11. The Signatories shall maintain regular close consultations to monitor and review the progress of the 
irnplementation of common activities. 
12. The Signatories shall share with each other all relevant information and documents including reports 
and any other information related to the activities, outputs and impact ofthis collaboration. 
J 3. The Signatories. may, wherever possible and appropriate, undertake joint missions with respect to the 
cooperation. 
Article VII 
Use ofName, Emblem and Media 
14. Neither Signatory will use the name or emblem of the other Signatory, or an abbreviation thereof, in 
connection with its business or otherwise, without the express prior written permission of a duly 
authorized representative of the Signatory in each case. 
15. Neither Signatory has the authority, expressed or implied, to make any public statement on behalf of 
other Signatory. Any press releases that may be issued in relation to this MOU shall be approved in 
writing in advance by the Signatories before being issued. 
16. Neither Signatory has the right to create a hyperlink to the other's website without the written 
authorization ofthe respective organization whose website is being linked to. 
Article VIII 
Settlement of Disputes 
17. Any controversy arising out of this Agreement will be settled amicably through consultation and 
negotiation between the Signatories. 
Article IX 
Modification and Finalization 
18. This MOU shall only be modified in writing pursuant to written approval of UN-Habitat and the 
Barcelona City Council, and any such correspondences shall be considered an integral part of this 
MOU herein. 
19. Any matters not incorporated herein, shall be determined by the mutual agreement between UN­
Habitat and the Barcelona City Council, and either Signatory shall take into account submittecl 
proposals. ' 
20. Notwithstanding Article IX.l this MOU may be finalized by either Signatory giving the other 
Signatory a written notice of 60 days' notice prior to its intention to termínate. 
21 . In the event offinalization, the Signatories shall take aiJ necessary action as required to promptly and 
orderly finalize any joint activity carried out under this agreement in a cost-effective manner. 
Article X 
General Provisions 
22. This MOU shall be valid from the date ofthe latest signature and shall remain valid until either or both 
Signatories give written notice oftheir intent to terminate the MOU. 
23. Any differences arising out of this MOU shall be settled amicably through consultation and direct 
negotiation between the Signatories, represented by the duly appointed representatives of tl( 
Signatories. 
24. Nothing in or relating to this MOU shall be deemed a waiver, express or implied, of any of the 
privileges and immunities ofthe United Nations, including UN-HABITA T. 
25. All notices and communications to each Signatory required under or rélated to this MOU shall be 
forwarded to the respective addresses of each Signatory, as follows: 
For UN-Habitat For the Barcelona City Couocil 
Ms. Diana Lopez Caramazana Ms. Rahma El Badoui 
Office of the Executive Director Pla~a Sant Jaume, s/n 
P.O Box 30030. Nairobi 00100, 08002 Barcelona 
KENYA SPAIN 
diana.lopez@unhabitat.org relbadoui@bcn.cat 
Tel. +254.20.762.5099 Tel. +34 93 402 33 88 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned. duly authorized representatives of UN-Habitat and the 
Barcelona City Council have signed two originals of this MOU in the place(s) and on the date(s) 
herein below indicated. 
FOR UN-HABITAT 
{',Dr. Joan Clos 
Mayor of Barcelona Under-Jecretary General and 
' J 
Place: Barcelona Executive Director 
Place: Nairobi 
Date: 
• A¡untamenk 
de UN(@)HABITAT 
Barcelo~a 
FOR A BETTER URBAN FUTURE 
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTA NDING BETWEEN 
TBE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME 
AND THE BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL, SPA 1N