THE HON. GEORGE PULLICINO BACK FROM GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE URBAN FUTURE IN BERLIN

THE HON. GEORGE PULLICINO BACK FROM GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE URBAN FUTURE IN BERLIN

The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Home Affairs George Pullicino was recently in Berlin, attending the Global Conference on the Urban Future (URBAN 21).

The Conference`s aim was to intensify the international understanding on the sustainable development of cities. It was addressed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan and the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Gerhard Hans Schroeder.

The preparation for this conference started three years ago with the collaboration of Germany, Brazil, Singapore, and South Africa. More than twenty ministers from around the World responsible for Urban Planning are attending the Conference, as well as more than two thousand delegates from government agencies, non-govermental organisations, local authorities and other interested parties, such as planners and architects, are attending.

The themes that have been discussed include issues such as housing, environment and transport entities. A world report on the future of cities has been drafted by a team of international experts and is being discussed by the Conference.

The Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino had talks with Reinhard Klimmt Minister of Transport, Building and Housing of the Federal Republic of Germany and Nick Raynsford Minister responsible for Planning in the United Kingdom.