Chen Zhenggao, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China, addressed the plenary session of Habitat III as a special representative of the Chinese government, noting that in the 20 years since Habitat II, China has undergone dramatic changes, with the urbanization rate having increased from 30.5% in 1996 to 56% last year. The urbanization rate has increased from 30.5% in 1996 to 56.1% last year, with an average annual increase of 1.3 percentage points; urbanization has become an important engine of China's economic growth.
Chen Zhenggao (first from right), Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Special Representative of the Chinese Government, and Liu Xianfa (second from right), Ambassador and Permanent Representative of China to UN-Habitat, lead a delegation to the UN Habitat III Conference
Chen Zhenggao said that over the past 20 years, China has not only solved the problem of food and clothing for 1.3 billion people, but has also worked hard to solve the housing problem for 1.3 billion people. The per capita housing floor area in China's urban areas has reached more than 33m2, and the per capita housing floor area in rural areas has reached more than 37m2. In particular, more than 26 million families previously living in shantytowns have been provided with spacious and bright new homes; 17 million families have also been provided with subsidized housing, mainly public rental housing. China's urban and rural living environment has been greatly improved. The urban sewage treatment rate has reached 91.9%; the harmless treatment rate of domestic garbage has reached 94.1%; the utilization rate of tap water for urban residents has reached 98.1%; and the gas penetration rate has reached 95.3%. By implementing the priority development strategy of public transportation, implementing green building initiatives, promoting sponge city construction, enhancing disaster resilience, and strengthening cultural heritage protection, China's cities and villages are developing in a more sustainable and resilient direction.
In order to promote and support the Habitat III Conference, the Chinese government has organized relevant departments to write the Habitat Report on China for the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development. The report summarizes China's work and achievements in Habitat over the past 20 years, analyzes the challenges and problems it faces, and proposes goals, countermeasures and actions for the coming period.
In the afternoon of October 20, 2016, at the closing ceremony of Habitat III, María Duarte Pesantes, Minister of Urban Development and Housing of Ecuador, announced the adoption of the New Urban Agenda.
Dr. Carlos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, noted at the closing ceremony that the conference was the first global summit convened by the United Nations since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Change Agreement. 36,000 participants from around the world spent the past four days analyzing and discussing the challenges facing cities and unanimously adopted the New Urban Agenda, which sets the agenda for sustainable urban development for the next 20 years. The adoption of the New Urban Agenda, which maps out a roadmap for sustainable urban development over the next 20 years, is therefore a key milestone of historic proportions.
Dr. Carlos emphasized that the challenges ahead remain daunting. Countries must take real action to deliver on the commitments made in the New Urban Agenda. Ensure that everyone is engaged and committed to ongoing exploration and implementation of innovative and efficient planning, supported by strong policy frameworks and reliable financing systems. He encourages all levels of government to actively use the New Urban Agenda as a powerful tool. Systematic planning and policy development for sustainable urbanization. And welcomes the much-needed financial support from international and multilateral financial institutions, regional development banks, development finance institutions and cooperation agencies for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, especially in developing countries.
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Translated by Chen Yan
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