The Philippine Urban Forum is a mechanism for continuing consultation and convergence among stakeholders in shelter and urban governance.

Substantive and constructive interaction is key to its success. It is a platform for information sharing, discussion and coordination among national government agencies, legislature, local government units, civil society organizations, private sector groups, and the international donor community involved in shelter and urban governance.

More than just a talk shop, it will be built upon the valuable experience and lessons drawn from past and current initiatives at the local and international levels.

Key PUF approaches in the achievement of its purpose and reason for being include:

• Gathering of key stakeholders around issues-specific brainstorming sessions;
• Identification of areas for convergence and complementation, rather than points of contention; and
• Articulation of roles and responsibilities. At the onset, champions, supporters, facilitators of global campaigns on good urban governance (GUG) and secure tenure (ST) have been identified.

The Urban Forum is a collaborative undertaking between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, through the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UN HABITAT), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).