The Secretary-General Message on World Cities Day 2016

United Nations - The United Nations has designated every 31 October as World Cities Day. The Day is expected to greatly promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.
This year, the United Nations has selected the theme Inclusive Cities, Shared Development to highlight the important role of urbanization as a source of global development and social inclusion. The Global Observance of World Cities Day will be held in Quito, Ecuador, as a continuation of Habitat III Conference celebration.
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Text of message:
To transform our world, we must transform its cities.
There, you find crime, pollution and poverty – but cities are also hubs of energy, innovation and economic dynamism.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda show how investing in cities advances progress across societies.
On World Cities Day, let us renew our resolve to confront urban problems and forge lasting solutions.
Together, we can show how success in cities inspires change around the world.