Margaret CHAN
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)

It is well known by now that half of humanity lives in urban areas — and the proportion is growing. Cities, with their concentration of culture, infrastructure, and institutions have long driven the progress of civilization and have been the focus of opportunity and prosperity. For both rich and poor, in developed and developing countries, cities offer unique opportunities for residents to increase income, to mobilize for political action, and to benefit from education as well as health and social services. Continue...

Inga Björk-Klevby
Officer in Charge, United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT), Assistant Secretary-General United Nations, and Deputy Executive Director, UN-HABITAT

By far the greatest share of health problems in rapidly urbanizing contexts is attributable to living and working conditions. These conditions include social determinants such as poor and overcrowded housing; unhealthy and unsafe working conditions; lack of access to clean water and decent sanitation; and social exclusion. Currently, an estimated one billion people live in informal settlements and slums. Continue...

SUPPORTING STATEMENTS

Babatunde Raji FasholA, SAN
Governor of Lagos State
Lagos, Nigeria
“Achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people”
Read statement

M.R. Sukumbhand Paribatra
Governor of Bangkok
“Prevention is the heart of public health and equity its soul”
Read statement