UNITED NATIONS	HS
	Commission on Human Settlements	Distr. LIMITED HS/C/17/L.6 10 May 1999 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

The Commission on Human Settlements,

Recalling the recognition in paragraph 122 of the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements 1/ of the role that local authorities have to play in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, 2/ as the closest partners of the Habitat II process,

Recognizing the concrete and constructive contribution made by local authorities throughout the Habitat II process and at the seventeenth session of the Commission, notably in the dialogues with local authorities and other partners, and welcoming their resultant commitment to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda,

Taking into account that the World Associations of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination is the structure established in September 1996 by the main associations and organizations of cities and local authorities within the mandate given by the World Assembly of Cities and Local Authorities, held in May 1996 on the eve of Habitat II, and recognizing that the World Associations of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination is therefore the coordinated voice of cities and local authorities and their organizations,

Affirms its will to work in partnership with local authorities, as a sphere of government with their own responsibility and legitimacy;

Confirms its recognition of special status for local authorities through the World Associations of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination, as the coordinating body of the local authorities and their organizations.

2/    Ibid., chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.