IN VIDEO MESSAGE, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS FUTURE OF HUMANITY LIES IN CITIES; STRESSES THAT URBAN REVOLUTION MUST WORK FOR PEOPLE, NOT AGAINST THEM
Press Release
SG/SM/6928
IN VIDEO MESSAGE, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS FUTURE OF HUMANITY LIES IN CITIES; STRESSES THAT URBAN REVOLUTION MUST WORK FOR PEOPLE, NOT AGAINST THEM
19990316 Following is the text of a video message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the thirty-fourth World Congress of the International Union of Local Authorities, to be held in Barcelona from 21 to 24 March:It gives me great pleasure to greet the mayors and all others from around the world who have gathered for this truly international event. I would like to congratulate the International Union of Local Authorities, and the city of Barcelona, for such an inspiring display of leadership and commitment.
Local authorities play a key role in today's world. Trade, finance and communications are increasingly global. But politics remain local.
Local authorities are helping to bridge that gap. They are closest to the needs and aspirations of the world's people. They are the ones people look to for safety in their neighbourhoods and streets, and for basic social services such as shelter, clean water and schools.
The world's urban areas are now home to nearly half the human race. They share major problems -- such as pollution, crime, unemployment, crumbling infrastructures -- which can prevent people from rising out of poverty, and may even lead to riots and bloodshed.
But cities and towns are also engines of progress. They are dynamic places where most of the world's cultural, intellectual, educational and technological achievements have happened. They can also serve as models of democracy, diversity and multi-cultural living. So the world looks to local authorities with great hope. We need your contributions.
The "City Summit" in Istanbul in 1996 outlined a positive vision of urbanization, aimed at reducing the fear and squalor in which so many city dwellers reside, and at giving people everywhere a voice and a choice in decisions that affect their daily lives.
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The United Nations looks forward to working even more closely with local authorities in their efforts to achieve these goals. The future of humanity lies in cities. We need to make the urban revolution work for people, not against them.
The theme of your Congress is, "local government uniting in a global mission". Let me turn this around and say: the United Nations, which is the global organization, is united behind your local mission. In that spirit of partnership, please accept my best wishes for a successful Congress.
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