On World Habitat Day this year, the Colombian Minister of Housing, Luis Felipe Henao Cardona, the Mayor of Medellin, Anibal Gaviria and the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Dr. Joan Clos, oversaw the presentation of the Seventh Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF7) in Medellin, that will be held in the same city from 5-11 April next year.
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The Colombian Minister of Housing, Luis Felipe Henao Cardona, the Mayor of Medellin, Anibal Gaviria and the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Dr. Joan Clos
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Photos © Municipality of Medellin |
The event opened with an official message by the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, in which expressed the support of the Colombia on the global discussion of sustainable urbanization. The Mayor of Medellin highlighted the theme of the Forum – “Urban Equity in Development – Cities for Life” as a crucial debate for a city like Medellin. Anibal Gaviria said that the World Urban Forum will be the biggest international event held in Medellin ever and he stressed his commitment to the sustainable urban transformation of the city.
Dr. Joan Clos remarked that “cities must be more dense, compact, integrative and inclusive to reduce inequalities and reclaim public space as a common good for all citizens”. He added that the Forum will be the key platform for discussing the role of sustainable urbanization within the framework of the Post-2015 development goals and the Third Conference of Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, in 2016.
The World Urban Forum will gather more than 10,000 participants –heads of state, governors, mayors, the international community, professionals and the private sector - from over 130 countries at the Convention Center Plaza Mayor of Medellin.
The celebration had a festive tone with artistic performances and the participation of Medellin’s citizens. One of the activities organized for welcoming the World Urban Forum 7 was a flashmob by hundreds of ‘city changers’, music and dance while the volunteers were waving colorful flags. |
