The 2005 Global Meeting of the Sustainable Cities Programme (SCP) and Localizing Agenda 21 Programme (LA21) partners will take place from 26 June to 1st July in Cuba, hosted by the City of La Havana. The meeting offers the partners of the UN-HABITAT Urban Environment Section the opportunity to advance their collective know-how, exchange experiences, review activities, and discuss how to mainstream Environmental Planning and Management (EPM) into local, national and global policies.

The meeting will bring together: mayors, high-ranking city officials, urban practitioners, representatives of central/federal governments, urban institutions, heads of international support programmes and key representatives of donor agencies. The meeting is organized jointly by UN-HABITAT, UNEP, the Government of Cuba and the City of La Havana.

With the Millennium Development Goals, the international community committed itself to reduce by half the number of people living in poverty by 2015 – only ten years from now. Urban poverty requires particular attention. As the urban poor are disproportionately affected by urban environmental degradation, vigourous action at the local level is key to ensuring that the Millennium Development Goals are met. Good practices show that sound urban environmental planning and management can contribute significantly to poverty alleviation. In addition, cities which focus on improving their urban governance practices have proven to be more equitable, more inclusive, safer and ultimately more sustainable.