Issued jointly with the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India

Nairobi/New Delhi, 4 September 2001: Minister for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Shri. Ananth Kumar emphasized the need for the eradication of urban poverty through improved urban governance. Stating that local governments and other stakeholders should practice good urban governance, Shri. Kumar stressed that cities should be made productive, healthy and safe places where residents can enjoy better opportunities and better life.

Shri. Ananth Kumar was speaking during a meeting with the Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) Ms Anna K. Tibaijuka, when the latter called on him, here today.

"We must enable every citizen to participate productively and positively in the opportunities cities have to offer. We must give priority to the needs of the excluded urban poor and respond to their needs," the Minister said.

"The high rate of population growth in our cities has resulted in increased demand for basic services and infrastructure, including reliable and quality water supply, sewerage systems, sanitation and roads. The city administration has to recognize the importance of providing reliable and high quality infrastructure and service for sustainable growth," he added.

Appreciating India's decentralization programme, one of the most advance in the world, and democratic institutions, Ms Tibaijuka said that the Good Urban Governance Campaign aims at supporting government and civil society in enriching and deepening local democracy and good urban governance. The Campaign helps promote the goals of the Habitat Agenda, namely Adequate Shelter for All and Sustainable Human Settlements Development in an urbanizing world.

"Decentralized decision-making and participatory processes are the best means for ensuring the effective use of scarce resources for the benefit of all, particularly the poor. Good Urban Governance Campaigns within each country are essential in order to address the challenges of urban poverty," she emphasized.

The Good Urban Governance Campaign in India, the first sub-regional launch of the global campaign, will be inaugurated by Shri. Ananth Kumar, here today. The India launch is part of the Global Campaign for Good Urban Governance spearheaded by UNCHS of the United Nations. Mrs. Anna K. Tibaijuka will be the Chief Guest on the occasion.

For further information visit the website http://pib.nic.in/urban_governance/ or please contact:

Shipra Narang, Network Coordinator
South Asia, Urban Management Programme (UNDP/UNCHS)
AIILSG, D-22/23 Institutional Area
Janakpuri, New Delhi
110 058 INDIA
Tel.: +91-11-5522473/4
Fax: +91-11-5500117
Email: umpsa@nda.vsnl.net.in or shipranarang@hotmail.com;

Dinesh Mehta, Coordinator
Urban Management Programme (UMP)
UNCHS (Habitat)
P O Box 30030
Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: 254-2-623414
Fax: 254-2-623536
Email: dinesh.mehta@unchs.org

Mr. Sharad Shankardass, Spokesperson
Media & Press Relations Unit
UNCHS (Habitat)
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254 2) 623153
Fax: (254 2) 624060
E-mail: habitat.press@unchs.org
Website: www.unchs.org