In my short intervention, I want to stress the importance of human settlements for sustainable
development strategies and their implementation at local level.
The themes of this session of CSD are timely and very much part of UN-Habitat?s Medium
Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP), in particular in terms of Focus Area 4 on
?Environmentally Sound Basic Infrastructure and Services?, which includes Waste
management and Transport as two of the five themes of this cycle and key topics for the
success of sustainable urbanization.
Solid waste management is a major challenge for human settlements of all sizes from small
towns to mega-cities. Globally, this sector has received less attention compared to other issues
and we need to redress the balance between all basic infrastructure. UN-Habitat has recently
produced a report on Solid Waste Management in the World?s cities. The document
particularly emphasizes the role of waste management for attainment of the MDGs and argues
for inclusiveness towards informal recycling systems. It will serve as an important resource
for policymakers worldwide and will guide UN-Habitat activities in this area.
Transport in urban areas is also a key issue for improving access to housing and employment
options, particularly for the urban poor. At the center of UN-Habitat?s interest are the urban
planning and poverty reduction dimensions of urban transport policy. Policies for sustainable
urban mobility entail promoting more environmentally-friendly and equitable transport modes
through expanded infrastructure for public transport and non-motorized modes of travel and
land use patterns that minimize travel needs.
Both waste management and transportation are major components of strategies to address
climate change and human settlements, both for city-related adaptation and mitigation
measures.
On a more general level, UN-Habitat recognizes the need to strengthen the implementation of
activities towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals related to sustainable
urban development, including Goal?s 7 target 10 and 11. This requires strong partnerships to
raise the importance of urban development for poverty reduction and economic development,
but also for climate change adaptation and mitigation. We are working with national and local
governments, civil society, the private sector as well as domestic and international financial
institutions.
The problems are defined, but we need solutions. We need to accelerate implementation,
particularly at local level, if we are to meet the internationally agreed development goals
including the MDGs and indeed go beyond.
I thank you for you attention.
