Secretary-General's remarks at media event with President Rafael Correa Salgado of Ecuador
Press events | Ban Ki-moon, Former Secretary-General
Buenos dias, señores y señoras.
Señor Presidente, señor Rafael Correa de Ecuador, mucho gusto señor Presidente.
I am very pleased to welcome H.E. President Rafael Correa of Ecuador.
Together we invite all Heads of State and Government of the United Nations to the Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development.
Known as Habitat III, the conference will take place in Quito from 17 to 20 October this year.
I thank H.E. President Correa and the Government and citizens of Ecuador for hosting this major UN meeting.
I also appreciate the work being done in preparation by Ms. Maria de los Angeles Duarte, Ecuador’s Minister of Urban Development and Housing, and Dr. Joan Clos, Secretary-General of the Conference.
Habitat III is a historic opportunity for change.
It is happening during the critical first year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The success of this ambitious endeavour will be largely determined by how we live in, design and manage our cities.
We live in the urban century.
More than half the global population lives in urban areas.
When planned, built and governed well, cities can be massive agents of positive change.
They can be catalysts for inclusion and powerhouses of equitable economic growth.
They can help us protect the environment and limit climate change.
That is why we need a new vision for urbanization – a New Urban Agenda.
I look forward to the success of Habitat III in October.
I am confident that Habitat III will deliver the impetus for sustainable development we need
Muchas gracias. Thank you.