KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 -- Malaysia is set to take a leading role in shaping the future of global cities as it prepares to assume the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) next year.

Malaysia will hold the presidency from 2025 to 2027, following unanimous support from 193 United Nations member states.

"This is the first time Malaysia has been elected to head the Executive Board of UN-Habitat," Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming told Mingguan Malaysia in an interview published today.

"It's not easy to get support from 193 countries, but we did it," he added.

UN-Habitat is the UN's leading agency on urban development, sustainability and housing.

As president, Malaysia will have the rare ...