Rio de Janeiro to host the Urban World Forum 5
UN-Habitat and the Government of Brazil have started preparations for the fifth session of the Urban World Forum, scheduled in Rio de Janeiro 22-26 March 2010. The Forum is one of the most open and inclusive gatherings of its kind on the international stage. It brings together government leaders, ministers, mayors, diplomats, members of national, regional and international associations of local governments, non-governmental and community organizations, professionals, academics, grassroots women’s organizations, youth and slum dwellers groups as partners working for better cities. The fifth session in Rio builds on the lessons and successes of the previous four events.
With half of humanity already living in towns and cities, it is projected that in the next 50 years, two-thirds of us will be living in towns and cities. A major challenge is to minimize burgeoning poverty in cities, improve access of the urban poor to basic facilities such as shelter, clean water and sanitation and to achieve environmentally friendly, sustainable urban growth and development.
The theme for Rio 2010, The right to the City – “bridging the urban divide” is in harmony with UN-HABITAT’s flagship report, State of the World’s Cities 2010-2011.
Add comment February 15th, 2010