Inclusive, Resilient, Safe, Sustainable Cities Vital for Stability, Growth, Secretary-General Tells World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the fifth World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders 2016 — “Local Voices for a Better World”, held in Bogota, 12‑15 October:

Mr. Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Colombia;

Mr. Enrique Peñalosa, Mayor of Bogotá;

Mr. Kadir Topbas, President of United Cities and Local Governments;

Distinguished mayors, governors and local government officials,

I send my warmest greetings to this congress of local and regional leaders.

Making our cities into places of inclusivity and opportunity is an enormous challenge, but it is vital for stability and growth.  We need strong, capable and accountable local government if we are to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — our inclusive and universal plan for people, planet, peace, prosperity and partnership.

Thank you for raising awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  Goal 11 calls for inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.  But, we need you to mobilize on all the Goals, from empowering women and girls… to promoting healthy lives… reducing inequality… and building resilient infrastructure.

Our global agenda must be grounded in local action.  You are meeting just days before the Habitat III Conference in Ecuador and the celebration of the second World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments.  I thank you for your constructive contributions to the New Urban Agenda and look forward to seeing many of you in Quito.

I send you my best wishes for a successful Congress.  Thank you y muchas gracias.