UN calls on cities to seize development opportunities

The international celebrations for World Habitat Day centred today on Embu, Kenya, as UN-Habitat’s Executive Director opened events in the country of the agency’s headquarters. The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day and the theme for this year’s event Changing Cities, Building Opportunities reflects how cities are the engines of growth.

“Given that, historically, urbanisation has been a source of development rather than a result of it, it is clear that it can be used as a powerful tool for transforming production capacities and income levels in developing countries,” said Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “This requires a mindset shift on the part of decision makers, away from viewing urbanisation as a problem, and instead towards seeing it as a tool for development.”

Hosted by the Government of Kenya, the day’s events were opened at the Embu Municipal Stadium by Dr. Joan Clos, together with the Kenyan Minister for Housing, Soita Shitanda; Ambassador George Owuor, Permanent Representative of the Kenya Mission to United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON); and the Mayor of Embu, Peter Muriithi Nyaga.

In the context of the financial downturn and increasing urban populations, especially among the youth, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said in an official statement: “This year’s Rio +20 conference on sustainable development recognized the importance of cities to economically, socially and environmentally sustainable societies On this World Habitat Day, let us urgently commit to work together for integrated, holistic management of the urban environment for the benefit of people and the planet.”