Habitat III Conference: A Shout Out for Action
AROUND 30.000 people gathered in Quito on October 17-20, 2016. From heads of state and government, ministers to mayors or local leaders all over the world and high representatives, all met with shared vision to adopt the New Agenda for the urban living; all wrapped up in Habitat III Conference, “New Urban Agenda.” Adoption on “Quito Declaration on Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements for All” was achieved in the conference. In the declaration that became a shared commitment (of the world), all leaders who attended have agreed that they need to readdress “the way cities and human settlements planned, designed, financed, developed, governed, and managed” to achieve sustainable urban development. They also agreed that the New Urban Agenda was a form of affirmation that the achievement of sustainable development of urban is essential; and thus should be conducted in integration at global, regional, national, sub-national, and local levels with participation of relevant actors. In this new agenda, it is also acknowledged that culture and diversity can really contribute to the achievement of sustainable urban goals by giving empowerment so key actors and relevant stakeholders can play their roles in development initiatives. Attending in the conference, UCLG ASPAC’s members, including Mayor of Surabaya, Co-President of UCLG ASPAC, Mayor Emil Dardak joined the Habitat III Conference, both spoke at the Mayors’ Assembly or the Second