Senior UN Official Calls for Eradication of Slums

A senior official of the United Nations has called for more efforts to help eradicate slums and reduce poverty worldwide.

Dr. Klaus Topfer, executive director of the UN Environment Program, made the call in his congratulatory letter to the International Conference on Urban Construction and Environment in the 21st Century, which opened today in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

He said that in the process of globalization and urbanization, the international community should take bolder measures to help the poor obtain lodging, protect their land ownership and acquire basic life necessities.

The three-day conference is jointly sponsored by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements, China's Ministry of Construction and the People's Government of Chengdu City.

During the meeting, delegates are scheduled to discuss such topics as sustainable development strategies for cities, city management, housing and the attainment of housing finance.



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