The ninth session of the World Urban Forum took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 7-13, 2018 and gathered together over 25,000 stakeholders from 185 countries to focus on the New Urban Agenda and the theme `Cities 2030, Cities for All’
The ninth session of the World Urban Forum took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 7-13, 2018 and gathered together over 25,000 stakeholders from 185 countries to focus on the New Urban Agenda and the theme `Cities 2030, Cities for All’.
The Forum was celebrated as the most inclusive to date, with 90% of least developed countries represented at more than 500 events.
The New Urban Agenda (NUA), adopted at the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, Habitat III, includes commitments on ensuring social inclusion and the end of poverty within environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development, and sustainable and inclusive urban prosperity and opportunities for all.
NUA partners and stakeholders were given the opportunity to showcase their innovative urban solutions at the exhibition and Urban Village.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Najib Razak, opened the WUF in an official ceremony on February 8, alongside several high-profile speakers.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UN-Habitat Executive Director, Maimunah Mohd Shariff, said: “With its genuine openness and inclusive nature, the World Urban Forum is a chance for stakeholders from all over the world to contribute to the global conversation about our cities and human settlements.”
British Royal Prince Charles sent a video message to delegates, calling on participants to focus on the value of sustainable urban development and its importance in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030.
He said: “I urge you all to seize the opportunity of this unique gathering to share and develop practical initiatives that will make the New Urban Agenda a transformative reality.”
Speeches were also given by the Malaysian Prime Minister and Corina Cretu, the European Commissioner for Regional and Urban Policy.
