Najib performs pre-launch of the Ninth World Urban Forum (WUF9)
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday performed the prelaunch of the Ninth World Urban Forum ( WUF9) here, which will take place on Feb 7-13 next year at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
WUF9, organised by the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), held to exchange views and experiences on the challenges of urbanisation, is expected to attract 25,000 local and foreign participants.
As a symbolic launch, Najib placed the WUF9 logo into a space provided with the ‘9th Session of the World Urban Forum’ poster as the background.
Also present was the Minister of Housing and Local Government Tan Sri Noh Omar.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government in conjunction with the launch, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will host the WUF9 in 2018 and is the second in Asia after Nanjing, China in 2008.
According to the ministry, the country’’s preparedness to host will reflect the commitment of Malaysia to the world in the aspect of sustainable and peaceful urban development.
It is in line with the aspirations of the nation in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, the Conference of the Parties 21 (COP21) — Paris Agreement, in addition to the adoption of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) agreed upon at the Third United Nations Conference On Housing And Sustainable Urban Development on Oct 20, 2016, the statement said.
WUF9 is the first forum held after HABITAT III last year, which is a global legal conference organised every two years to review and determine the urban agenda, and pave the way for UNHabitat’s vision towards a better future of the city. According to the ministry, the organistion of WUF9 with the theme ‘Implementing the New Urban Agenda’ will be the first platform for debate on the implementation and achievement of NUA.
“Participation in the WUF9 forum is free and the public and all stakeholders in the area of urbanisation is very welcome,” the ministry said. Registration for public participation is expected to begin in July, he said.
“Through this forum, participants will obtain benefits and best practices in the development of the city towards meeting the goals of the ‘New Urban Agenda’ in 2036,’ the statement said. — Bernama