The Czech Republic greatly managed the UN summit on sustainable development

Almost 4 thousand experts from all over the world discussed about the future development of cities and municipalities for three days in Prague. The UN European Habitat Conference, organized by the Ministry of Regional Development headed by Minister Ms. Karla Šlechtová, ended on Friday March 18, 2016 with approval of the Prague Declaration. The document will directly impact the further UN policy in the field of sustainable development. The Czech Republic and organizers have not only mastered the difficult preparations and organization of the Conference, but they also carry away a few key points of relevance for their further activities and development in their region.

In line with what Minister Ms. Karla Šlechtová already mentioned in her opening speech on the first day, calling it her personal goal, both the Conference and the Prague Declaration were not to be just about discussing, they were to bring a factual content and specific outcomes with an effective meaning for the future.

Theses of the Prague Declaration

• The Declaration is based on four principles: Innovative and productive cities, Green, compact, resource-efficient and versatile cities, Inclusive and safe cities, Good urban governance.
• Emphasis is primarily put on support to proper planning and management to be conducted in cooperation with all levels of governance and communities; a unifiedapproach is vital in the effort to maximize the potential of cities, social cohesion and access to services; affordability of housing as a key factor of quality of life is one of the main features of viable cities; urban development planning must involve the effort to minimize impacts on the environment and to enhance economic, social and environmental sustainability.
• We are facing various challenges relating to housing and sustainable urban development in the regions: urban poverty, demographic changes, climate changes and disaster risk, urban development and mandated growth, coordination of urban development, use of relevant technologies.
• Key directions from Prague to Quito: supporting cities by strengthening their potential for innovation including social innovations and job creation, supporting optimal use of resources, equal access to affordable housing and services, eliminating poverty and exclusion, providing affordable, safe, inclusive and high-quality public space and safe transport, proper financial management in municipalities, ensuring sustainable sources of financing, reinforcing the dialogue between various levels of government and relevant actors.

“I am very glad that through the entire program, its content and negotiations we did manage to achieve specific goals. Some of them were incorporated into the Prague Declaration, some became an outcome of the negotiations conducted by the UN-Habitat III supreme bodies in Prague under my leadership,” said Minister Ms. Karla Šlechtová. „I am very pleased that Czech participants significantly contributed to the program with their own initiatives. In them, they looked for guidance as to further development of Prague and other regions of the Czech Republic.”

“What is encouraging for both the Czech Republic and all of us is the fact that in addition to experts who may have dealt with the issues of land development for a long time, the European Habitat Conference was also attended by students –that is to say by those who should shape our future in subsequent periods. And they were there not only as guests, they took an active part in the Conference – in the form of various exhibitions, lectures, discussions or expert participation,” added the Minister.

The Czech Republic greatly managed the European Habitat

The UN European Habitat Conference ranges among the most prestigious events that are being held in the Czech Republic in 2016. Nearly 4 thousand experts in the field of development of cities, municipalities or larger regions met in Prague over current topics, discussing them in the course of 3 days, at many different forums. At the same time, they were drafting specific outputs on the topics discussed. Some of them were then incorporated into the final document of the Conference known as the Prague Declaration, others became part of various working papers that will be further discussed now (and not only) at the United Nations. They will also serve as one of the basic materials for the global Habitat III to be hosted by Ecuador in October 2016.

“We have managed this important Conference in a very good manner. I would like to thank all active participants and visitors as well as organizers, my colleagues from the MoRD and other organizations, for having helped us to earn a good reputation for our country worldwide. The Conference gathered, among others, dozens of journalists from around the world, and its significance and implications will affect the developments of various regions of the world in the coming years. Yet I am very glad, too that some specific points can be taken from the Conference by us, for the Czech Republic and its future,” added Minister of Regional Development Ms. Karla Šlechtová.

Some facts about the UN European Habitat Conference

• It was attended by nearly 4 thousand experts from around the world.
• During the Conference, 96 separate official events and dozens of bilateral negotiations were conducted.
• In total, there were more than 300 hours of expert discussions.
• More than 50 experts took the floor.
• Czech representatives contributed significantly – both to the main program and accompanying activities.
• The main outcome of the Conference is the Prague Declaration, the final version of which has been worked on by the international Advisory Board and with the participation of Minister of Regional Development Ms. Karla Šlechtová in the course of three days.
• The Conference was held on an area of more than 42,000 square meters in the Prague Congress Centre.
• In addition to the PCC, more places around Prague hosted the Conference accompanying activities.
• An organization team of more than 150 people looked after the organization of the Conference.
• More than 11,000 meters of cables were installed in the Prague Congress Centre in order to provide proper technical background to the Conference.
• About 100 works created by students were exposed in the Congress Centre – they are 3D models of draft buildings.

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