INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CAN TURN COMMITMENTS INTO RESULTS, SAY SPEAKERS IN HABITAT II HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

13 June 1996

Press Release
HAB/134

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CAN TURN COMMITMENTS INTO RESULTS, SAY SPEAKERS IN HABITAT II HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

19960613 (Received from a UN Information Officer.)

ISTANBUL, 12 June -- The importance of international cooperation in translating the Habitat Agenda, goals, principles and commitments into concrete results was highlighted this afternoon, as the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) continued its high-level segment.

The role of the international development and lending institutions, the United Nations system, bilateral donors and the developed countries in helping to attain those goals was stressed by several speakers.

The Conference heard statements by the President of Albania; the Prime Minister of Armenia; the Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau; the Prime Minister of Djibouti; and the Prime Minister of Burundi. The Vice-President of Sudan; the Deputy Premier of the State Council of China; and the Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda also spoke.

Statements were made by the Minister for Local Government of Ghana; the Minister for Housing and Urban Development of Colombia; the Minister for Public Works and Housing of the United Arab Emirates; the State Minister for Public Housing of Indonesia; the Minister for Housing and Human Settlements of Costa Rica; the Minister for Public Works of Italy (on behalf of the European Union); the Minister for the Environment of Finland; the Minister for Construction Works of the Russian Federation; and the Minister of the Interior of Sweden.

The following ministers also addressed the meeting: the Minister for Housing and Local Government of Malaysia; the Minister for Urban Development and Habitat of Ecuador; the Minister for Housing of South Africa; the Minister for Environment and Housing of Jamaica; the Minister of Equipment and Habitat of Tunisia; the Minister for Infrastructure, Habitat and Urbanism of Burkina Faso; the Minister for Public Works and Energy of Rwanda; the Minister for Public Works, Transport and Housing of Barbados; and the Minister for Economy of Estonia.

Also speaking were the Minister for Local Government and Lands of Gambia; the Minister for Human Development of Bolivia; the Minister for Local Government and Housing of Zambia; the Minister for Lands, Housing, Town and Country Planning of Sierra Leone; and the Minister for Planning, Human Resources and Environment of the Maldives.

The meeting also heard the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for the National Land Agency of Japan; the Secretary for Social Development of Mexico; the Acting Permanent Secretary for Housing of Fiji; and the Secretary of State for Cooperation and Development of Belgium.

The representatives of Spain, Australia, Guatemala, Iraq, Belize also spoke.

Statements

SALI BERISHA, President of Albania: After 50 years of isolation, Albania has started a difficult transition towards establishing a country based on the rule of law and a market-oriented democracy. As a result, the country is facing numerous social problems. As one of the poorest countries of Europe, Albania has succeeded in achieving considerable macro-economic stability within a short period of about four years. The foreign aid given to Albania was the main factor in overcoming the most difficult post-communist years. Today, Albania wants to be integrated into Europe.

Albania is facing difficulties in providing adequate shelter and achieving sustainable development of human settlements. Over 30 per cent of the population is in need of housing. Two problems that need urgent attention are housing for the families of former political prisoners returning from concentration camps, and housing for tenant families who lived in homes that were expropriated 20 to 30 years ago. The international community must support Albania in providing housing for its citizens.

HRANT BAGRATIAN, Prime Minister of Armenia: The urban development of Armenia depends on the gradual harmonization of the uneven distribution of the population and production means; the equalization of the differences in potential of central and border areas; the rehabilitation of the earthquake zone; and the relief of acute housing problem for refugees and needy groups. The privatization of State and public housing, which began in 1993, marks the beginning of a new housing policies. By the end of 1995, 65 per cent of housing was privatized. Armenia is cooperating with the many communities and organizations in the sphere of urban development.

The Habitat II decisions on the sustainable development of human settlements, land management and housing policy should promote bilateral cooperation, as well as enhance the efficiency of the United Nations system's

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efforts. A regional approach should be adopted and special attention paid to the problems of countries in transition.

MANUEL SATURNINO DA COSTA, Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau: The Conference should find solutions to the problems of sustainable development of human settlements. The problems of rapid urbanization are well known to all. The effects of the economic crisis on the developing nations and, African countries in particular, should be taken into account in the proposals that will be made for helping those States. The international community should pay particular attention to the question of the development of Africa. The Conference should try to eradicate poverty, which is one of the main generators of migratory flows of populations within countries and towards the borders of the richer countries. The solutions and recommendations of the Conference will contribute to the alleviation of poverty and human suffering, which are at the root of some of the problems the Conference was called to address.

BARKAT GOURAD HAMADOU, Prime Minister of Djibouti: The Conference should seek practical and effective solutions at the global level, since the problems of urban development affect many countries of the world. Action should be taken to address the problems of rural and nomadic peoples in order to prevent them from moving into the cities where they could only swell the ranks of the urban poor. The United Nations and other organizations should be given the financial resources necessary to implement the programmes and recommendations that will come out of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements.

MAJOR-GENERAL ALZUBEIR M. SALIH, Vice President of Sudan: Drought, desertification and the increase in refugees have contributed to the present imbalances of Sudan's urban and rural areas. The result is an increase in refugee camps and precarious housing settlements. The rural-urban drift has also led to a deterioration in the urban areas. The Sudanese Government attaches great priority to solving these problems and to restoring settlements to ensure that the house is "an area of tranquillity for the family, a refuge for the soul" and a place "to preserve the dignity of man". The Government has tried to ensure citizens' participation in reconstructing urban areas and regional zones and has made land available for building.

Habitat II must stress that sustainable human settlements require peace and security. Peace is of great importance to Sudan, which is in a state of war. The country is trying to reach a just, lasting and equitable solution for all involved. Sudan seeks assistance from the international community for its reconstruction efforts.

ANTOINE NDUWAYO, Prime Minister of Burundi: Before the 1993 crisis in Burundi, the Government had implemented a national strategy for improving its

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urban and rural areas which targeted at least 80 per cent of the population. Since October 1993, Burundi has experienced an unprecedented crisis in which there has been the systematic extermination of one group of the population, the exile of about 300,000 people as refugees and 500,000 displaced persons. Human settlements have been adversely affected and accompanied by the loss of human lives. Many now live in deplorable conditions.

Burundi needs the assistance of the international community as soon as the security situation improves. The situation remains alarming. The country is under the siege of the militias who are killing children, women and the elderly. They are pushing barbarism to the extreme. The Tutsi group is being targeted as well as Hutus who are not supportive of the genocidal ideology. The Burundi Government calls on the international community to condemn the ideology of genocide and not to consider military intervention in the country. The international community should assist with the cost of reconstruction of the country and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced persons.

ZOU JIAHUA, Vice Premier of China: Adequate shelter for all is a fundamental human right. New approaches must be explored to ensure sustainable human settlements. They include the need for a peaceful international environment and for sustainable development. Developing countries' failure to find effective solutions to human settlement issues lies in their economic underdevelopment and deteriorating poverty. Favourable external conditions for their economic and social development should be created, which would also be of benefit to the developed countries and the world at large. It is also imperative to respect all States' independence and sovereignty and give due regard to their policies, strategies and planning for human settlements development.

Numerous socio-economic difficulties place tremendous pressure on China in the long and arduous task of finding solutions to settlements development. To address the problems, the Chinese Government has made sustainable development a major strategy.

KWABENA AHWOI, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development of Ghana: Ghana affirms the importance of strengthening partnerships at the international and national levels. The concepts of equality and partnership, which have found expression in the documents of this Conference, are linked to the rights of peoples. The right of access to facilities, services and opportunities must be addressed. The international community must confront the issue of war and threats of war and pay as much attention to Africa's little wars as it does to those in other parts of the world. The negative impacts of structural adjustment on developing countries, the debt burden, and the low prices paid for our primary commodities must also be discussed. New and additional resources must be provided to demonstrate commitment to the effective implementation of the Habitat Agenda.

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The Government's role has shifted from that of a provider of housing to that of a facilitator, enhancing the efforts of the private sector, community groups and individuals. It has established mortgage finance firms and provided incentives to investors in the construction sector. Ghana endorses the principle of the right to shelter, which should mean that central and local governments must create the appropriate framework to enable everyone to have shelter.

FABIO GIRALDO ISAZA, Minister for Housing and Urban Development of Colombia: In implementing its urban policy in consultation with local authorities, the Government tries to define its national development plans and define the local administration of development. The objective is partly to develop urban space. State intervention is necessary for the development of urban areas and to deter inequities that might arise. Colombia's land law is an innovative and powerful instrument for public intervention in a free-market economy. Land must be used productively to allow the cities to prosper. The rights of the city should be recognized and ethics should be applied in the use of land and the construction of public spaces. Cities should have open areas that could be shared by all.

What is to be done with cities, how can social and economic injustice be dealt with, and what is to be done for those who lack employment? The cities should help develop full citizenship where individual and collective rights will be respected and access to material resources granted to allow everyone to exercise his or her citizenship fully. The Conference should generate attitudes that will lead to the development of the kinds of new cities that are so far unknown to man.

HIDEFUMI MINORIKAWA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for the National Land Agency of Japan: Japan is formulating a nationwide development plan that targets the year 2010. The plan will address the issues of general welfare, culture and the environment; coexistence with other members of the international community; decentralization; and land-use administration. As a way of reforming its entire government structure with its concentration of activities in Tokyo and to improve the nation's ability to provide against natural disasters, Japan is making efforts to relocate the capital's functions.

Japan has recognized the importance of the activities of non- governmental organizations and welcomes their participation at the Conference. Non-governmental organizations played important relief roles after last January's great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, which devastated areas around Kobe, Japan. It is addressing development problems as part of its international cooperation. It has offered various forms of support for comprehensive regional development plans and the development of housing and urban

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infrastructure. Japan will support the leading role it expects United Nations bodies, such as Habitat, to play in improving human settlements.

RAKAD BIN SALEM HAMAD BIN RAKAD, Minister for Works and Housing of the United Arab Emirates: The United Nations system has a crucial role to play in the development of human settlements. The United Arab Emirates has tried to develop viable human settlements and has given priority to them at each stage of its development planning. Developing countries must implement national plans for improving their human settlements while developed countries must supply more financial aid and ensure the transfer of technology to help people around the world to attain a stable life. Poverty eradication is important in achieving sustainable human settlements as is the acknowledgment of the specific culture of each State.

International cooperation in peace and security is an important prerequisite to the development of sustainable human settlements. All weapons, including nuclear arms should be eradicated and all conflicts resolved to ensure the peaceful co-existence of all States.

INGENIERO CARLOS ROJAS, Secretary for Social Development of Mexico: Mexico has experienced an imbalance in its urban development. Four major metropolitan concentrations exist and the rural population is very dispersed. Priority has been given to a more equitable distribution of resources and the strengthening of local authorities to improve the way in which those problems are addressed. There has been an attempt to consolidate a network of urban centres to ensure a better distribution of services in 116 medium-sized and small cities in which more than 34 million people live. The objective is to reverse the trend of urban concentrations and ensure urban development planning for each city.

Housing is recognized as a social right and is enshrined in programmes designed for the five-year period of 1995 to 2000. The priorities are funding, marketing of land and housing as well as the titling of land. The Mexican Government has made a political commitment to eradicate poverty. To achieve that goal, international cooperation is required. Multilateral organizations have an important role to play in this respect.

AKBAR TANDJUNG, State Minister for Housing of Indonesia: The mobilization of financial resources is increasingly being ignored in the need for implementing plans for improving human settlements. Conference participants should not allow the Conference's recommendations to become empty words to be added to the long list of unfulfilled international commitments to development. The efforts of all partners must focus on the disadvantaged and the under-privileged. National government efforts must be supported by international cooperation.

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Sustainable human settlements and social progress cannot be accomplished without being solidly anchored in sustained economic growth and development. Economic growth is "the main engine that generates other dimensions of sustainable development, including human settlements. The Indonesian Government has always encouraged private- sector involvement in human settlements and welcomes the fact that the partnership concept has become the cornerstone of the global plan of action.

EDGAR ARROYO-CORDERO, Minister for Housing and Human Settlements of Costa Rica: Costa Rica pledges to increase available support for housing because it sees housing as a human right. The Government places special emphasis on overcoming poverty by implementing an integrated programme that places people at the centre of development, in attempts to achieve a society with opportunities for everyone. The programme will be implemented with active citizen participation. Even though it lacks resources Costa Rica will create suitable political, legal and administrative mechanisms that will make cities pleasant to live in.

Habitat II has provided an opportunity for the country to approach human settlement and shelter issues with a range of social stakeholders and public and private entities. It has given Latin America and the Caribbean the opportunity to propose a joint action plan to address their common problems. Costa Rica, as President of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, is satisfied with the preparatory process and coordination achieved. The 132 developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have advocated well-founded arguments on the core positions of the developing world within the Agenda. The Istanbul Declaration will be noted as a crucial United Nations document.

ANTONIO DI PIETRO, Minister for Public Works of Italy, also speaking for the European Union: The Union has supported the formulation of the Habitat Agenda and the Istanbul Declaration, which will indicate political commitment. The Conference has reaffirmed the right of adequate housing as a right of everyone to have a place to live in security and peace. Governments have agreed to take the steps necessary to ensure affordable and accessible housing for all. It has involved new actors in decision-making. Such partnerships and networks will help mobilize financial resources and strengthen human resources.

The European Union confirms its political will to implement the Habitat Agenda. The main responsibility for implementation will lie within each country, though, with concerted efforts at all levels, especially the local level. National and local economic and financial bases should be strengthened. Existing resources available to developing countries -- public, private, multilateral and bilateral -- should be enhanced.

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PEKKA HAAVISTO, Minister for the Environment of Finland: Finland has made progress in energy efficiency of heating systems and in the treatment of municipal wastewater. Its national Habitat II report identified three priorities of action: urban development which conserves the environment; consolidation of urban regions; and improving the living environment.

The development of sustainable human settlements and shelter for all requires efficient national policies and resource mobilization. Priorities should be decided nationally and locally, in democratic and participatory processes. Finland will promote democratic values and institutions in development cooperation as prerequisites for sustainable development. It is striving to alleviate poverty, mitigate environmental threats, advance human rights and prevent conflicts, all of which are linked to human settlements development. There should be an integrated implementation, monitoring and follow-up of United Nations conferences. While the implementation must be system-wide, the division of duties should be defined in the light of current United Nations reforms.

EFIM VLADIMIROVICH BASIN, Minister for Construction Works of the Russian Federation: A special message from the President of the Russian Federation, Boris Yeltsin, says that the issue of the state of settlements is of concern to the Russian Federation. Housing reform is an important component of the reform process being pursued in the Russian Federation. The Conference should attempt to resolve the fundamental issues before it as it draws to a close.

The Minister for Construction: A national meeting of construction professionals in March has contributed the foundation for a national housing policy to the year 2000. That policy will ensure housing for low income groups and seek to mobilize extrabudgetary resources for housing. The concerns of the countries in transition regarding sustainable human settlements should be given priority within the Habitat II framework.

JORGEN ANDERSSON, Minister of the Interior of Sweden: After three years of preparations, the outcome of the conference is impressive. In ensuring access to shelter, children's needs, in particular, must not be overlooked and the full participation of women must be promoted. Swedish development cooperation will support efforts to strengthen local democracy in urban management. Sustainable development should lead to, among other things, the eradication of poverty and education for all. Partnerships and participation are key elements in the Habitat II agenda.

Finland will continue to pursue general housing policies which safeguard adequate shelter for all and which will focus on children and young people living in troubled urban areas, and on the integration of immigrants into Swedish society. Serious attention must be given to the United Nations in the integrated follow-up to Habitat II, as well as other global conferences.

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However the strain -- even crisis -- under which the Organization is working must be acknowledged. Member States must ensure that they fulfil their financial obligations and that the Organization is reformed to make it more efficient. Political will is essential if sustainable human settlements are to be achieved.

TING CHEW PEH, Minister for Housing and Local Government of Malaysia: Malaysia supports the Habitat Agenda and has a long-term plan to create a better life for its citizens. The country's goal, as developed in its "Vision 2020", is to become a fully developed society by the year 2020. Its housing policy is designed to ensure that all citizens have access to decent housing, particularly the low-income groups. The Government has achieved about 70 percent of the housing targets it had set.

All illegal squatters in Malaysia are either compensated or relocated even though the law is on the side of the landowners. "There are no homeless people on the streets of Malaysia." Malaysia is ready to share its experience in planning low cost housing. The country's Vision 2020 and the Habitat II global plan of action should go hand in hand to move Malaysia forward.

FRANCISCO ALBORNOZ, Minister for Urban Development and Habitat of Ecuador: The State must guarantee the right to shelter. Its role will be that of a facilitator who will intervene in support of private initiatives. The roles of some agencies will be redefined to give greater responsibilities to the private sector, non-governmental organizations, local authorities and community-based groups. Communication at the local, national and regional levels will be emphasized. The role of the private sector will be encouraged, the issue of land regulated and basic services increased. Housing deficits will be decreased and access to homes broadened. Housing finance and State support for low-income segments of the society will be enhanced in Ecuador's plan.

Technical and financial contributions from various sectors will be recognized. International cooperation should ensure technology transfer to strengthen local capacity and help various countries and communities. Ecuador is ready to share its own experiences in the field of the sustainable development of human settlements. Ecuador has transferred to the private sector the responsibility of implementing programmes in social housing and decided to give poor families subsidies. Measures should be established to mitigate the effects of disasters that might affect some nations.

SANKIE DALLY MTHEMBI-NKONDO, Minister for Housing of South Africa: South Africa has tackled many of the issues before the Conference by implementing its Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The RDP is based on seven principles: integration and sustainability; people-driven development; peace and security; nation-building; meeting basic needs and

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building the infrastructure; democratization; and accountability. Its plan of action revolves around five programmes: meeting basic needs; developing human resources; building the economy; democratizing the State; and implementing the RDP. The country will build 1 million houses in five years.

The international community should assist in creating an economic environment that will ensure better-quality settlements. Substantial technical and financial support should be provided to help the developing countries implement their plans. An international facility should be created to elicit voluntary contributions to address the problems of human settlements in Africa. South Africa backs the Johannesburg Declaration's recommendation that the Centre for Human Settlements should be entrusted with the follow-up on the Conference's decisions, under an expanded Commission on Human Settlements.

EASTON DOUGLAS, Minister for Environment and Housing of Jamaica: While recognizing the role of the international community, it must be realized that resources and capacities exist within many communities and countries. Jamaica strongly supports the process to ensure an effective follow-up programme after this Conference. It is essential to enhance the capacity of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements in research, information exchange and technical assistance. Jamaica is ready to help by offering its own experience in settlement upgrading and the provision of low-income shelter.

Nations must redouble efforts to pursue additional resources for shelter solutions and promote self-help and enabling strategies to increase the capacity of individuals who can build their own homes. At the international levels, all sides must strengthen institutions by increasing the technical and financial resources earmarked for human settlements programmes in developing countries. All of us -- large and small, rich and poor, developing or developed countries, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and local authorities -- whether we live in megacities, cities, towns, villages or countryside, must commit ourselves to play our part in this tremendous task.

ALI CHAOUCH, Minister of Equipment and Habitat of Tunisia: Eighty percent of Tunisia's citizens own their own dwellings. Improvements have been made in the provision of amenities in dwellings. Rural-urban migration has been treated as a priority to ensure balanced rural-urban development. Human settlements have been endowed with services and facilities for health, education and sports. The Tunisian Government has taken a gradual approach to improving human settlements which takes account of the specific nature of the society.

Affluent countries should assist developing countries and strengthen cooperation and solidarity in international relations. The developing and

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poor countries' debt or, at least the service on that debt, should be cancelled. Those monies should be recycled into environmentally beneficial projects and investment in infrastructure projects.

JOSEPH KABORE, Minister for Infrastructure, Habitat and Urbanism of Burkino Faso: Burkino Faso's experience in improving sustainable human settlements involves eradicating poverty, easing regional disparities and improving social integration. The urban population is ready to contribute to improving their living conditions if the State and local authorities play their part. The major problem, however, is generating the financial resources to meet the needs of the urban population. Development partners hesitate to contribute resources because they perceive urban problems as social problems. They should support the efforts of national governments and local authorities efforts to ensure real development.

Habitat II must be an opportunity for all the stakeholders to achieve genuine progress in sustainable human settlements. There must be better coordination of the development process and of North-South solidarity.

BHASKARAN NAIR, Acting Permanent Secretary for Housing of Fiji: National implementation of the Habitat II global plan of action is of critical importance. With rapidly rising costs for shelter and urban services, a small island developing state like Fiji faces many difficulties in mobilizing adequate financial resources or ensuring a transfer of sound sustainable human settlements.

It is regrettable that there has not been an agreement on the target of 0.7 percent of GNP for official development assistance (ODA). Without positive and concrete steps towards this aim, the goals of the Habitat Agenda will be beyond the reach of many small developing countries. Those countries hope that the promise of adequate and additional resources to assist them in strengthening their sustainable development efforts will materialize. They renew their appeal to the international community, particularly to developed country partners, to honour the commitments they made in Rio and Barbados.

VICTOR CALVO-SOTELO IBANEZ-MARTIN, of Spain: Spain's constitution states that all Spaniards have the right to enjoy decent and adequate housing and that public authorities should promote the enjoyment of that right. The constitution assigns such a responsibility to all levels of public authorities, such as autonomous administrations and local authorities. Spain affirms that, subject to final drafting, it will ratify the Habitat Agenda and the Istanbul Declaration. It will enact policies to ensure that the right to housing is effective and will carry out legislative reforms to facilitate that right.

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Spain last week approved some measures as a first step in relation to the sustainable development of human settlements. It will develop a Habitat Agenda for Spain which will focus on the issues highlighted in its national report and include concrete measures for sustainable development of settlements. Spain will cooperate with its neighbours and countries in Latin America and the Mediterranean basin in the development of settlements.

REGINALD MOREELS, Secretary of State for Cooperation and Development of Belgium: Belgium is a major Habitat donor and has contributed more than $200 million to relevant programmes in a particular period. It will not hesitate to join the calls for a guarantee of the right to decent and adequate housing and is pleased that a consensus has been reached on the issue. Governments should therefore help facilitate the enjoyment of that right by introducing appropriate incentives to the private sector to provide housing. Rural living conditions must be improved substantially by guaranteeing health care and access to other facilities and services.

Since big cities in both the developed and developing countries face many common problems, the concept of "best practices" is an appropriate innovation that will enhance the exchange of relevant information and experience. Public authorities should apply the enabling approach so as to provide civil societies and grass-roots organizations the means to develop fully and take part in decision-making in the sustainable development of human settlements. Rapid urban growth has led to social problems, which public authorities must address. Refugee camps should not be allowed to become permanent settlements. Necessary resources should be provided to help implement the programmes adopted at the Conference.

ERIC ADRIKO, Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda: The Habitat Agenda will enjoin governments, the international community, local authorities, non-governmental and community-based organizations and the private sector to play greater roles in the sustainable development of human settlements. While governments should formally recognize the continued contribution of non-State actors, they should remain the central facilitators of the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. Uganda welcomes the Conference's recognition that the implementation of the Agenda will require new and additional resources. The United Nations system will continue to play a central role in implementation. Since an effective implementation can best be ensured within a strengthened Centre for Human Settlements, the Conference should enhance the mandate of the Centre .

Land ownership has been entrusted to the people by Uganda's new constitution. The national shelter strategy and the national plan of action prescribe that Government will largely enable individual households to generate incomes and the private sector should be the major actor in developing settlements. All partners and stakeholders in the human

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settlements sector should support Uganda's efforts to provide adequate housing for its people.

CHARLES NTAKIRUTINKA, Minister for Public Works and Energy of Rwanda: The task of rebuilding Rwanda after the 1994 genocide is gigantic. The problems relating to sustainable human settlements are of particular concern in Rwanda. Housing costs have tripled, and although the return of refugees is a Government priority, the necessary structures to receive them are not in place. The lack of housing could become a dangerous source of social tension, particularly in the capital city. The Government's new policy for sustainable human settlements aims to restructure settlements by bringing traditionally dispersed settlements into more concentrated ones. The programme will require enormous resources which could be provided by the international community.

Regional cooperation is essential in the development of sustainable human settlements, but it requires a stable environment. The issue of refugees must be resolved as part of the process of achieving sustainable human settlements in the subregion. The Rwandan Government appeals to the international community to prevent the extension of genocide in the region by addressing the recent massacres of Rwandans residing in Zaire.

DAVID EVANS (Australia): Ninety per cent of Australians live in urban areas mostly concentrated along an extended coastline. The country has worked hard at developing cities, towns and rural communities that operate efficiently and equitably. Australia has a high rate of home ownership which is backed up by land-titling systems. The Australian Government is committed to improving the quality of life of people in urban, regional and rural areas. Addressing the housing problems of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is also a priority.

In recent years Australia's overseas aid program has supported the Asia-Pacific region, with special priority being given to the needs of the poorest and most disadvantaged in urban settlements in that region. Resources need to be mobilized from a range of sources including private enterprise, to meet the needs of developing countries.

GEORGE PAYNE, Minister for Public Works, Transport and Housing of Barbados: Barbados is a small island developing country with a population density of 312 persons per square kilometre and 40 percent of its population in the urban centre. Barbadians have always been determined to own their own homes. Sixty per cent of the 3,500 housing units needed over the past six years have been built. Ninety per cent of that total has come from the private sector.

One of the reasons for poor housing in Barbados is the tenant system which imposes constraints on tenants to improve their homes. The impact of

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hurricanes has also had adverse effects on housing. Several issues on housing still have to be addressed and include financing, access to land for low income families, the upgrading of old timber houses in the urban areas and creating security of tenure.

ANDREAS LIPSTOK, Minister for Economy of Estonia: With the re- establishment of Estonian independence and its integration into Europe, it has been developing a human settlement system in an economically efficient and socially and ecologically balanced manner. Its new housing laws introduced a number of innovations to the housing field. State ownership of the housing fund was abolished; the fund is mostly privatized. Tenants of State-owned housing estates are allowed to buy their homes.

Estonia supports the Declaration of the World Assembly of Cities and Local Authorities. It agrees that sustainable development must be conceived and enacted at the local level, which is the best way to mobilize concrete initiatives from bottom up. That is why the Estonian Parliament ratified the European Charter of Local Government last year. Steps must be taken to draw up a world-wide charter of local self-government.

RICARDO GOUBAUD SOLOZARNO (Guatemala): Guatemala has lived through armed conflict, the end of which is in sight. Part of the agreement between the two sides in the political negotiations to end the Guatemalan conflict was that steps should be taken to ensure the provision of housing to combat the shortage of shelter. Even though the country is committed to providing more houses, it will require the support and assistance of its international friends and international institutions. The support will enable the country to create a healthy environment in its human settlements. The Guatemalan national plan defines policies and objectives in the sustainable development of human settlements, which are broken into eight components. In essence, it will include measures to counter the effects of natural disaster and other problems and its contents will be translated into concrete action. The assistance of the international community will be needed.

YANKUBA TOURAY, Minister for Local Government and Lands of the Gambia: After assuming power two years ago, the Government gave top priority to such rights as food, health care, education and housing. The steps it took include the implementation of a project to improve some areas within Banjul and its surroundings and the amendment of legal instruments to remove bottlenecks in the effective management of land. The Government is negotiating with Shelter Afrique and the African Housing Fund to set up a Habitat Bank in the Gambia to provide housing finance for low-income citizens.

The Gambia's plan of action has identified four major areas for future intervention. They include: poverty alleviation and job creation; sound environmental management and improvement in nutrition and health;

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decentralization and management capacity-building at local government and community levels; and improved access to shelter, particularly for the most vulnerable groups of society. Since its resources are limited, the Gambia will need the support of the international community to implement its plans. It will cooperate not only with its bilateral partners but also with the private sector and non-governmental organizations in mobilizing the necessary resources to achieve its objectives.

FREDDY TEODOVICH ORTIZ, Minister of Human Development of Bolivia: To achieve sustainable human settlements at the national level, there is need for constitutional reforms and popular participatory processes, decentralization, and better government action to meet the needs of the populations and solve the critical problem of poverty. The United Nations system and all international organizations need to focus on human needs, such as housing and education. If that is achieved, the Conference will have fulfilled its mission. If it is not, those who vote and give national representatives responsibilities will be critical of their actions.

BENNIE HIMAINZA WYCLIFF MWINGWA, Minister for Local Government and Housing of Zambia: A major contributing factor to Zambia's urbanization problems was a colonial process which effectively marginalized the rural areas from mainstream economic development and created instability, or insecurity, for the majority of the people in the urban areas.

The enabling approach in the Habitat Agenda should be fully supported. People at the community level should be enabled if they are to effectively participate in the development of their communities through empowerment. The enabling strategy is equally applicable at the global level. Empowerment, in this case, means creating an enabling environment for all countries to mobilize their domestic resources and remove obstacles, which hinder the realization of initiatives and creativity, to effectively implement the Habitat Agenda. The phenomenon of donor fatigue exists, particularly for Africa. But it is also important to note that donor-driven programmes in recipient countries can be debilitating if they do not address the priority needs and aspirations of the recipient countries.

RAFI DAHAM MEJOAL ELTIKRITI (Iraq): Urban settlements are a priority of the modern Iraqi State. The role of local communities in the management of cities is being promoted. Measures have been taken to ensure the participation of the private sector in the development of Iraqi cities in accordance with the State's goals. However those efforts were negated by the aggression against Iraq in 1991. Iraqi cities were subjected to indiscriminate bombings, destroying infrastructure and even places of worship. The blockade against Iraq has also had a disastrous effect on large areas of the cities and has increased the mortality of children at an alarming rate.

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All social services have been adversely affected. "The Iraqi civilization is threatened."

The Conference must play a positive role in alleviating the sufferings of the Iraqi people. It should ensure protection for the civilian population and call for a lifting of the embargo on Iraq. Iraq needs the support of the international community for its reconstruction and rehabilitation and for the provision of humanitarian assistance as well as the preservation of historical cities.

ABDUL RAHMAN KAMARA, Minister for Lands, Housing, Town and Country Planning of Sierra Leone: Since March, 1991, the country has been embroiled in a rebel war which has devastated settlements in all areas of the country. Some towns and villages were razed to the ground, forcing inhabitants to take refuge in the more secure "garrison towns". The loss of revenues by the Government has frustrated its efforts to tackle its housing problems, with 50 per cent of its population living in camps in the country and another 12 per cent in refugee camps abroad.

Habitat II should help attract the international community's attention to the rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement needs of Sierra Leone, help in the exchange of experience with countries that have succeeded with their settlements practices; encourage international private sector partnerships in housing and settlement development; and collaborate with architects with expertise in low-income housing and urban planning.

ISMAIL SHAFEEU, Minister for Planning, Human Resources and Environment of Maldives: A major focus of the settlements policy in the Maldives is the sustainable development of the rapidly growing capital, Male, which houses a quarter of the country's population. This indicates the growing demand for housing, which are unmet due to the lack of land. The Government has taken steps to address urbanization by developing innovative schemes for garbage disposal and providing safe water and environmentally sound building codes.

National policies should be complemented with external support since the economic development of many developing countries, including small island States such the Maldives, depends on external conditions. The Conference should forge partnerships of cooperation and encourage international development and lending institutions as well as bilateral donors to provide new and additional financial resources for the development of settlements.

DEREK AIKMAN (Belize): The private sector decides how resources will be used in a market-driven economic system. That arrangement presupposes that the private sector will be mainly responsible for managing factors of production and that the role of governments will be reduced to that of facilitators of economic development. That scenario raises some disquieting

- 17 - Press Release HAB/134 13 June 1996

questions. Is it not the goal of the private sector to maximize profits only, rather than to create a sustainable economic system in any country or region? Will it not create casualties such as retrenched public-sector workers, bankrupted firms and countries? And will this not lead to widespread disruptions and social upheavals? Will it not create an ever-widening pool of unemployable persons? There is a need for a mechanism to harmonize the goals of the private and public sectors and ensure that their efforts lead to sustainable economic enterprise. The United Nations Commission on Human Settlements should help set up such a mechanism.

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