Minister Pavlova: The implementation of the New Urban Aganeda is a possible mission

The Minister of the Regional Development and Public Works, Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova as a co-chairman of the round table ‘Funding of the sustainable urban development’ held during the third conference of the UN on the housing and the sustainable urban development (HABITAT III), presented the conclusions of the discussions.

The most important is that we have already agreed with the New Urban Agenda, emphasized Pavlova during her speech. It depends on us to make everything possible in the next 20 years to turn the words into action and to put it into practice It is clear that without funding and financial instruments the implementation is mission impossible, added Minister Pavlova. Fortunately, we have united around the idea that the mission is possible and we have specific tools, not only financial, to carry it out successfully.

The Minister of Regional Development and Public Works presented a summary of five key elements for successful implementation of the New Agenda for Cities, formulated under the roundtable.

Particularly the combining of the traditional ways of funding more creative and more flexible financial instruments such as public-private partnerships, various types of financial engineering, the participation of financial institutions at different levels was highlighted as more important. Here the participation of the municipalities is especially important, she stressed out.

Another essential element is the institutional capacity, particularly that of the municipalities and cities. It goes all the way from sharing experiences, providing know-how, financial and technical assistance, better cooperation with governments and all other stakeholders.

The establishment and deepening of the relations between urban and rural areas that often go off the topic of urban development was also highlighted as an important element, beneficial to both countries. Another important conclusion from the discussion is the need for special support to less developed countries through which they can be given a good starting point for implementing the strategy.

 

Last but not least the need for equal treatment of all levels - governments, local authorities, people, citizens, organizations, etc. was highlighted too. Because it is necessary to have equal opportunity, equal treatment and transparently, publicly and openly to implement a new day order for the cities, since the objectives set out therein are precisely the benefit of citizens and they should be aware of all the measures and issues discussed at the forum.

 

In conclusion, Minister Pavlova thanked all the participants in the round table "Financing of sustainable urban development" and the organizers of the forum as wished them in 20 years’ time all to have the opportunity to gather again and present tangible results from a new agenda for the cities.

During the forum, Minister Lilyana Pavlova held a working meeting with Maria de los Angeles Duarte, Minister of Urban Development and Housing of Ecuador. They discussed issues of responsibility of the two ministries, focusing on regional development.