STATEMENT BY MS GERARDINE JONG,DELEGATE TO THE 69TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 20, ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOME OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS (HABITAT II) AND STRENGTHENING OF THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME (UN HABITAT),SECOND COMMITTEE, 14 OCTOBER 2014

_{Mr Chairman,}

_{1                 I would like to begin by aligning myself with the statements by Bolivia, on behalf of the G77 and China, and Indonesia, on behalf of ASEAN, on this agenda item.}

_{Mr Chairman,}

_{2                 This year marks a significant milestone in our sustainable urban development agenda.  The cohesive efforts amongst Governments have seen substantive progress in our Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  We are approaching the end of the MDGs.  We are now gearing up for the Post-2015 Development Agenda that would be mainly shaped by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).}

_{3                 The first Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in September 2014 was a step forward in developing a new Urban Agenda.  In his Opening Statement at the first Preparatory Committee, Secretary-General of the Conference and UN Habitat Executive Director Joan Clos said that “as we proceed with the post-2015 consultations and start preparations for Habitat III, we should move away from fragmented views of sustainable urbanisation.  We need cities and human settlements that are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.}

_{4                 Indeed, urbanisation is growing at an unprecedented scale across the world.  It would be pertinent for Governments to continue to improve the cities and to give the people a high quality living environment.  Singapore is doing its best on this front, which is not an easy feat.  Singapore has come a long way in its city-state development.  From confronting problems such as a lack of natural resources and a housing crisis in the 1960s, we have grown into a modern city-state where our residents live, work and play in a vibrant, urbanised, and green environment.}

_{Mr Chairman,}

_{5                 Singapore’s transformation did not come about by chance.  As a city-state of just 714 square kilometres, we need to ensure that there is sufficient land for economic growth and future development in a high-urban density setting.  We have taken a long-term and integrated approach in our land use planning to optimise the use of our land for current and future needs, up to 50 years ahead.  In 2009, Singapore released the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, which sets out targets and initiatives to improve resource efficiency and enhance Singapore's urban environment over the next 10 to 20 years.  In 2012, Singapore launched a US$108 million (S$135 million) Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge to fund researches on creating new spaces cost-effectively and optimising existing use of space while maintaining liveability.}

_{6                  To-date, we have provided quality and affordable housing for our population, enhanced mobility through better transport connectivity, created accessible recreational spaces, integrated more greenery into our built environment, encouraged more biodiversity to flourish, and provided utilities such as water storage and treatment, power and waste management.  Over the next decade, we will be rejuvenating existing towns, building new ones and opening up new growth areas.} 

_{7                  Based on our experience in urban planning, the Singapore Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) has compiled and achieved a Liveability Framework through two systems: integrated planning and dynamic urban governance.  The Framework is guided by active inter-agency cooperation, systematic innovation, and active citizenry, communities and market engagements.  Singapore hopes that the Liveability Framework can be considered as a basis for the new urban agenda.  As many cities in Asia, Latin America and Africa today face exponential population growth, land scarcity, overburdened infrastructure and social challenges, Singapore’s high density-high liveability framework is of relevance.}

_{8                  Internationally, Singapore is fostering cooperation in sustainable cities development.   For example, Singapore is working with China to jointly develop the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city using innovative urban solutions.  A side event was organised by Singapore and China during the Open Working Group Meeting on SDGs in January this year to showcase the eco-city project.  In addition, Singapore co-chairs the Group of Friends (GoF) for Sustainable Cities with Sweden.  In Jun 2015, New York City will be hosting the 6th World Cities Summit (WCS) Mayors Forum (MF), an annual flagship event organised by Singapore’s CLC and Urban Redevelopment Authority, to share best practices of urban leadership among the high-level participants.}

_{Mr Chairman}

_{9                  Singapore stands committed to moving the process forward for HABITAT III to be convened in 2016.  We support Ecuador, who has offered to host the HABITAT III Conference in 2016.  We look forward to the Conference, which will reinvigorate the global commitment to sustainable urbanisation and set us on the path for a new Urban Agenda.}

_{10                With that, I thank you.}

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