In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/6070

'HABITAT AGENDA' FROM HABITAT II CONFERENCE OFFERS VISION OF SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, SAY SECRETARY-GENERAL ON WORLD HABITAT DAY

3 October 1996


Press Release
SG/SM/6070
HAB/139


'HABITAT AGENDA' FROM HABITAT II CONFERENCE OFFERS VISION OF SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, SAY SECRETARY-GENERAL ON WORLD HABITAT DAY

19961003 ADVANCE TEXT Following is the text of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's statement on the occasion of World Habitat Day, which is being observed on 7 October 1996:

World Habitat Day is an occasion to reflect on the state of the environment in which we live. It is an observance that draws attention to the plight of the nearly 1 billion people around the world who either are homeless or have inadequate shelter, without access to electricity, clean water or sanitation -- a majority of whom live in the rapidly expanding cities of the developing world.

This year, however, we have reason to hope that this state of affairs will not continue indefinitely. In June, at the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), held in Istanbul, the world's governments committed themselves to a detailed plan of action to realize economic and social development and environmental sustainability in the urbanized world of the twenty-first century. This plan of action, known as the Habitat Agenda, offers a positive vision of sustainable human settlements -- where all have adequate shelter, a healthy and safe environment, basic services and productive and freely chosen employment.

Habitat II focused not only on problems, but on solutions. Hundreds of communities and cities, in developed and developing countries alike, demonstrated concrete solutions to social, economic and environmental problems. They showed that creating sustainable human settlements requires a cooperative effort on the part of all members of society. Governments cannot do it alone; cities cannot do it alone. The job requires a wide range of actors, including non-governmental organizations and city residents.

We face a future for which the past is no guide. But in Istanbul, we drew a road map to the future. We launched a new process for worldwide partnerships -- between governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and other elements of civil society. It is my sincere hope that this process will be reinforced in the near future. What we need now is the courage and the political will to press ahead.

* *** *

For information media. Not an official record.