When it comes to fighting for a sustainable future, the world’s cities are “critical battlegrounds” and more important than ever to making multilateralism work for all, said the UN chief in a video message on Monday to the United Nations Habitat Assembly.
In his message marking World Habitat Day on Monday, the UN chief said more “urgent action and greater investment” is the key to help alleviate the current “cascade of challenges”.
Historic docklands and buildings in the UK city of Liverpool have been removed from the UN cultural body UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites, it announced on Wednesday.
The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with modern economies is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected worldwide, according to the UN Environment Programme.
The adoption of a new agenda to transform the world's cities will be "useless" unless countries and cities implement it.
That's the passionate view of Joan Clos, Secretary-General of the UN's Habitat III conference which ends on Thursday in Quito, Ecuador.
The once-every 20-years conference on Sustainable Urban Development has been focused on making cities and towns better places to live, through a non-binding New Urban Agenda, agreed by all Member States.
A new initiative has been launched to raise awareness about the health impacts of air pollution which the World Health Organization (WHO) calls “an invisible killer.”
The ‘BreatheLife’ campaign highlights measures cities can implement to minimize impacts, including through better housing, transport and waste and energy systems.
