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World Canada Canada World Canada

DAY 5 � WORLD URBAN FORUM III
FROM VANCOUVER TO NANJING

Friday, June 23, 2006

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Vancouver, BC � The third session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF3) Our Future: Sustainable Cities � Turning Ideas into Action, finishes today with a look ahead to the future of cities and the future of the WUF conference. The day will open with two Special Sessions. The first features notable figures from WUF 3 alongside those people who will play a distinctive role in WUF 4 in Nanjing, China; while the second features well-known urban experts who will highlight the State of the World�s Cities Report 2006/7. The closing ceremony will both celebrate the achievements of this conference and look to the future of WUF 4.

Below, find highlights of some of today�s key events including a schedule of announcements.

Please note, the initials (HB) beside an event indicates that it will be covered by the Host Broadcaster pool feed. To maintain the integrity and dignity of this event, no ENG cameras will be permitted into rooms where Host Broadcaster cameras are installed. These events will be available to all broadcasters at the Vancouver Telus TOC 604-663-5439.

Attention: Space is limited in the dialogue and networking sessions, thus entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.


Friday's Key Events

8:30 am � 10:30 am
Special Session: From Vancouver to Nanjing
Location: VCEC � Ballroom A

China�s approach to rapid urbanization will influence the global urban agenda for the foreseeable future. This session will explore the changes and opportunities for urbanization in China and elsewhere, and provide insight on the issues that will table at the WUF4. In recognition of the significance of China�s contribution to the international urban dialogue, the Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum in 2008 will be hosted by the Ministry of Construction of China and the City of Nanjing.
Moderator: Brock Carlton, Director, International Centre for Municipal Development, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Canada.
Speakers: Andre Juneau, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Government of Canada (Session Chair)
Anna Tibaijuka, Under Secretary-General, United Nations; Executive Director, UN-HABITAT, Kenya
Michael Harcourt, Co-Chair of the Canadian National Advisory Committee for the WUF3; Former Mayor of Vancouver; Former Mayor of Vancouver; Former Premier of British Columbia; Current Chair, External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities, Canada
Martin Lilja, State Secretary, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Government of Sweden
Wang Guangtao, Minister of Construction, People�s Republic of China;
Wu Zhiqiang, Dean, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tangji University, China
Wu Tinghai, Deputy Director of Institute of Architectural and Urban Studies, Qinghua University, China
Fu Ping, Assistant President, Shanghai Land Development Group, China;
Gao Yufeng, General Manager of Shanghai Land Development Group, China
Lu Bing, Deputy Mayor, City of Nanjing, China

8:30 am � 10:30 am
Special Session: Future of Cities
Location: VCEC � Ballroom B (HB � Available in Media Centre Only)

This discussion will draw upon a panel of well-known urban experts who will make short presentations on where cities are today and what they will look like in the future. The discussion will begin with highlights from the State of the World�s Cities Report 2006/7. The panellists will be asked to give their impressions on what they see as the major trends and challenges facing cities in the 21st century.
Facilitator: Ben Malor, UN Radio
Speakers: Inga Bjork-Klevby, Assistant Secretary General, UN; Deputy Executive Director, UN-HABITAT, Kenya
John Friedmann, Honorary Professor in Community and Regional Planning,
University of British Columbia, Canada
Janice Perlman, Executive Director, Megacities Project, USA
Xuemei Bai, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan
Kalpana Sharma, Mumbai Bureau Chief, The Hindu, India
David Satterthwaite, Senior Fellow, Human Settlements, International Institute for Environment and Development, United Kingdom
Clive Harridge, President, Town and Planning Institute, United Kingdom

9:30 am � 10:00 am
Daily Media Briefing
Location: UN Plaza, VCEC Exhibit Hall B


10:00 am � 10:30 am
Special Presentation: IDRC Photo Contest
Location: UN Plaza, VCEC � Exhibit Hall B

WUF delegates voted for their favourite image in the International Development Research Centre�s (IDRC) �Expose Urban Solutions� international photo competition. The winner of the People�s Choice Award will be announced on the UN Plaza stage today. Visit the gallery on the north and east walls in the Canadian pavilion.

10:30 am � 11:00 am
Closing Press Conference
Location: Pan Pacific Hotel, Oceanview Suites 7/8

Speakers: Anna Tibaijuka, Under Secretary-General, UN; Executive Director, UN-HABITAT, Commissioner General, World Urban Forum 3, Charles Kelly, Representative of World Urban Forum 4, Nanjing China.

11:00 am � 1:00 pm
Closing Session And Ceremony
Location: VCEC � Exhibit Hall A and Ballroom C

The closing session and ceremony of WUF 3 will both celebrate the achievements of the conference and look to the future of WUF 4. The session will open with the tabling and presentation of a Report by the WUF 3 Advisory Board on the key issues raised at the Forum. This will be followed by remarks from various civil society groups who will comment on their forward planning as a result of the outcomes of the Forum. The closing ceremony will also mark the introduction of Nanjing, China as the next host city for World Urban Forum IV in 2008. WUF 3 closes with a truly unique Canadian theatrical event: the Canadian Cirque.
Featured Speakers: John Pombe Magufuli, Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Government of Tanzania, Co-chair, WUFIII
Pierre Sane, Assistant Director-General, UNESCO
John Kaputin, Secretary General, African Caribbean and Pacific Group Secretariat, Belgium
Wang Guangtao, Minister of Construction, China
Lu Bing, Deputy Mayor of Nanjing, China
Closing Remarks: Anna Tibaijuka, Under Secretary-General, UN; Executive Director, UN-HABITAT, Kenya
James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Public Works
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the
Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, Government of Canada

Networking Sessions

8:30 am � 10:30 pm
Networking Sessions: CLIFF � The Great Debate
Location: VCEC � Meeting Room 17

Controversy, disagreement, questioning, and passion can all be expected at Homeless International�s second CLIFF debate. The session will debate the motion �This house believes the urban poor cannot afford to work in formal partnership with the state and with the private sector�. Slum dwellers, NGOs, bankers and government officials will all be there to state their positions. The audience will have their say and vote to accept or reject the motion.
Speakers: Jockin Arputham, National Slum Dwellers Federation, India
Anil Kumar, ICICI Bank
Ruth McLeod

8:30 am � 10:30 am
Networking Sessions: Effective Partnerships: Land, Secure Tenure and Financing Schemes by the Public and Private Sector.
Location: Pan Pacific Hotel, Oceanview Suite 1

Based upon the Global Campaign for Secure Tenure�s concept of �removing Slums, not Slum Dwellers� BEYOND SHELTER - A HOME seeks to make a significant impact on the living and working conditions of the world�s urban poor. The experts in this session discuss the impact of private property rights on freedom and security. Only by joining forces with a public-private sector coalition can these challenges be overcome.
Speakers: Enrique Penalosa, former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia
Dr. Sopon Pornchokchai, President, Thai Appraisal foundation, Thailand
Sheldon good, CCIM, Founder, Sheldon Good & Company, USA


WUF3 Media Centre Contact Numbers

  • 604-647-7460
  • 604-647-7459
  • 604-647-7458
For Further Information
Jeremy Dunn
Curve Communications
(604) 684-3170 / (604) 726-8350 (cell)
[email protected]

Sharad Shankardass
Spokesperson, Head Press & Media Relations
UN-Habitat
+254-733-760-332
[email protected]

Zahra Hassan
Media Liaison
UN-Habitat
604-723-5851
[email protected]

 
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