Creating New Urban Agendas in Latin America: Lessons from Paraguay

A social entrepreneur whose work has focused on addressing urban poverty, Soledad Núñez was named Paraguay’s Minister of Housing and Habitat in October 2014 by President Horacio Cartes. The youngest person ever appointed a Cabinet-level minister in Paraguay, Minister Núñez has overseen a dramatic increase in the production of social housing for low-income households, which have risen from an annual average of 1,600 to more than 10,000 housing units a year. She also is working to transform the ministry from a housing-focused institution into a technical institution responsible for coordinating the implementation of the country’s New Urban Agenda. As part of that effort, she is leading the National Committee of Habitat, which includes more than 50 public and private institutions. Minister Núñez was also elected President of the Regional Assembly of Minister and High Level Authorities of Housing and Urban Development for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Before being appointed to her current post, Minister Núñez coordinated the implementation of a National Poverty Eradication Plan from the Technical Planning Secretariat for Social and Economic Development in the President's office. She has also served as National Director of TECHO Paraguay, a non-governmental organization that provides emergency housing solutions and promotes the active involvement of young people in the policy making process. An active member of the local hub for Global Shapers, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, Minister Núñez began her professional career in the private sector implementing social infrastructure projects in rural areas. She has a degree in Civil Engineering from the National University of Asunción, a Master's degree in Project Management from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, and is an alumni of the Global Competitiveness Leadership Program at Georgetown University.

Coffee and snacks will be provided.