Quito, Ecuador—Members and guests of UPF-Ecuador participated in the UN Habitat III Conference and a side event of it entitled, “The 11th Global Forum on Human Settlements.”
From October 17 to 20, 2016, the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, also known as Habitat III, convened in Quito, Ecuador to reinvigorate the global commitment to sustainable urbanization and to focus on the implementation of a New Urban Agenda. More than 40,000 people from around the world gathered for the conference, which is held every 20 years (1976, 1996 and 2016).
On October 18, thirty-four members and guests of UPF-Ecuador attended a side event entitled, “The 11th Global Forum on Human Settlements: Compact Sustainable City Offers a Better Life.” UPF International supported the event and 13 members of UPF-Ecuador assisted with the organization of it.
The program included an opening ceremony, “Compact Sustainable City Offers a Better Life,” and five sessions:
- Session 1. Compact, Integrated, Connected and Sustainable City
- Session 2. Cultural Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism
- Session 3. New Energy Development in Low-Carbon City
- Session 4. The World Urban Campaign Towards Urban Innovation
- Session 5. Women and Children in the Rapidly Urbanizing World.
Representatives from cities around the world spoke about the efforts their cities are making to become more sustainable and create a better life for humankind. A representative of a Chinese city explained how the city is using a scientific approach to develop into a sustainable city and maintain the environment. Another representative spoke about the “slow development of cities,” such as Paris.