SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSES OPENING SESSION OF HABITAT II

3 June 1996

Press Release
SG/T/2059

SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSES OPENING SESSION OF HABITAT II

19960603 ISTANBUL, Turkey, 3 June -- By the year 2000, almost half the world's population will live in urban centres; 80 per cent of them would be in developing countries. Sounding the alarm on the effects of rapid urbanization, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali called upon the world to adopt a global plan of action that will ensure safe, prosperous, healthy and equitable cities in the next century.

The Secretary-General was addressing the opening session of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) which opened in Istanbul today. He told Member States that follow-up was all important. "Real success will be measured over the years by the degree to which participants live up to what they will commit themselves in Istanbul", he said

The President of Turkey, Suleyman Demirel, was elected President of the Conference and also addressed the plenary.

During his presence in Istanbul, the Secretary-General will also meet with the Advisory Board on Human Settlements and present the awards for "Best Practices" in towns and cities.

The Secretary-General is accompanied by his Special Advisor, Under- Secretary-General Ismat Kittani, and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe, Yves Berthelot.

* *** *