Countries around the world gathered for the Rio +20conference
this week formally recognised the "important role" cities play
in sustainable development citing the need to strengthen the
Habitat Agenda and ensure "adequate and predictable" funding for
UN-Habitat. The renewed commitment comes in key elements of the
so-called Rio +20 outcome document entitled, The future we want.
Paragraph 137 of the document states: "We recognise that
partnerships among cities and communities play an important role
in promoting sustainable development. In this regard, we stress
the need to strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms or
platforms, partnership arrangements and other implementation
tools to advance the coordinated implementation of the UN
Habitat Agenda with active involvement of all relevant UN
entities and with the overall aim of achieving sustainable urban
development. We further recognise the continuing need for
adequate and predictable financial contributions to the UN
Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation