U.N. calls for increased efforts to reduce urban poverty, improve city living conditions

The U.N. marked World Habitat Day Monday with a call for governments worldwide to do more to reduce urban poverty and improve the living conditions that populations in cities around the world face, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation reports. "Creating better cities demands the combined efforts of national and local governments, civil society and the private sector, supported by the best efforts of the United Nations system," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement released to mark World Habitat Day.

"Typically living in developing countries, and largely powerless, disenfranchised and under the age of 25, the urban poor are too often condemned to a life without basic rights, hope of an education or decent work," Ban continued. "Lacking adequate provision of fresh water, electricity, sanitation or health care, they suffer privations that all too often provide the tinder for the fires of social unrest. Vulnerable to exploitation and corruption, they need and deserve better cities and a better life," Ban added (10/4).  

"Ban stressed that the challenges of urban poverty, stretching from pollution to criminal gang culture, can be overcome," U.N. News Centre writes (10/4).

The Malaysian Star Online lists recipients of the U.N. Scroll of Honour, which were presented to institutions recognized for their efforts to improve the conditions of towns and cities on World Habitat Day (Yoon, 10/4).