World Habitat Day 2003 - Overview   Since its inception by the UN General Assembly in 1985, World Habitat Day has been celebrated annually on the first Monday in October. This year, the global observance was held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro on Monday 6 October 2003. It will focus on the theme of Water and Sanitation for Cities to highlight the world’s urban water and sanitation crisis – a situation far worse that official statistics suggest. Read more... Messages on World Habitat Day   From the Secretary-General The theme of World Habitat Day 2003 -- “Water and Sanitation for Cities” -- highlights the need to provide the urban poor with clean water and decent sanitation. In a rapidly urbanizing world, where already half of the world’s population lives in cities and towns, at least 1 billion people suffer from the dangers and indignities associated with the lack of clean water and adequate sanitation. Read more... Arabic|Chinese|French|Russian|Spanish| From the Executive Director The theme this year of World Habitat Day on 6 October spearheaded by the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro is water and sanitation. Never before has there been such clear international consensus that sustainable development starts with health and dignity. These fundamental conditions of human development cannot be met without sustained investment in safe water and basic sanitation. Read more... Arabic|Chinese|French|Russian|Spanish| Highlights   2003 Award winners Celebration in Brazil Celebrations around the world   Africa   Arab States   Americas   Asia and the Pacific   Europe Habitat Debate - special issue on water and sanitation Media information   World Habitat Day 2003   World Water Forum   Synopsis of UN-HABITAT's report on Water and Sanitation