The Third APMCHUD 2010

Solo, June 22-24, 2010

Theme:
Empowering Communities for Sustainable Urbanization

Countries of the Asia Pacific region, for the past decade, have been experiencing unprecedented increase in urbanization which poses complex challenges for city planners. According to APMCHUD, eleven of the world?s mega cities with population of more than 10 million people are located in Asia. Urban growth is projected to double from 3.3 billion in 2007 to 6.4 billion in 2050. Much of this growth will take place in developing countries.

Welcome Notes

It is with greatest pleasure that I welcome you to the 3rd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) in Solo, Indonesia. This three-day conference offers a unique framework and opportunity for you to share new perspectives, ideas and best practices, and create networks and collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable urbanisation.

With half of humanity already living in towns and cities, it is projected that in the next 50 years, two-thirds of the world will be urbanised and more than half will be living in the Asia-Pacific region. Civil society plays an essential role in the development of cities.

The conference theme 'Empowering Communities for Sustainable Urbanization' is demonstrated in innovative practices in Solo. The conference includes working group meetings based on sub-themes, an exhibition and site visits to several locations as examples of best practices in community empowerment in housing and urban development (in particular the informal economy) that blend with local tradition.

Let us work together towards encapsulating the outcome of the 3rd APMCHUD as the Solo Declaration, which is envisioned as a regional framework for empowering communities in sustainable urbanisation.

We look forward to meeting you June 22-24, 2010 in Solo, the heart of Central Java's civilization for a fruitful and mutually-beneficial discussion. I welcome you to browse www.apmchud.com for further information on the conference, registration and accommodation in Solo, Indonesia.

Suharso Monoarfa, Minister for Housing, Republic of Indonesia and Chairman of the National Committee for the Third APMCHUD

I, on behalf of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing & Urban Development (APMCHUD), take this opportunity to welcome you to the Third APMCHUD conference in the picturesque city of Solo, Republic of Indonesia during 22nd - 24th June, 2010. We are grateful to the Government of Indonesia and the Municipality of Solo, who have made elaborate arrangements for this mega event.

Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing & Urban Development (APMCHUD) aims at addressing the challenges of urbanization, housing and habitat management, millennium development goals, urban poverty and slum development and to develop strategies and policies for habitat development in which land and housing are the key components and also for sharing/exchange of knowledge on land and housing, national and city strategies for poverty alleviation etc. to enable Asia Pacific countries to speak with unified voice at regional and international forum.

The APMCHUD was established in December, 2006, subsequent to the first Asia Pacific Conference held at New Delhi under the aegis of Government of India, Ministry of Housing & Poverty Alleviation and UN-HABITAT. Kumari Selja, the Hon'ble Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation was the first Chairperson of the APMCHUD. The second conference of APMCHUD was held in Tehran during May, 2008 and H.E. Mr. Ali Nikzad, the Hon'ble Housing and Urban Development Minister from the Islamic Republic of Iran, is the current Chairperson. The Bureau of APMCHUD is represented by Ministers from various sub-regions of Asia Pacific countries. The current Bureau (2nd ) consists of Ministers of Housing & Urban Development from Iran, India, China, Indonesia, Armenia, Pakistan & Qatar. The activities of APMCHUD are coordinated by the Secretariat of APMCHUD, which is established at HUDCO Bhawan, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

During its earlier APMCHUD Conferences at Delhi and Tehran, the member countries have adopted 'Delhi Declaration' and a 'Tehran Declaration' & 'Action Plan for Regional Cooperation for promoting sustainable urban development among Asia Pacific Countries' for its implementation towards addressing the challenge of sustainable human settlements in the Asia Pacific region. These documents govern and guide the activities of APMCHUD, its Bureau and its Secretariat. We invite you to peruse the details at APMCHUD's website www.apmchud.com.

We look forward to welcome you at Solo and solicit your participation for your guidance and support. We are confident that with your active participation, APMCHUD will achieve greater heights and contribute more significantly towards its ambitious agenda for sustainable development of human settlements in the Asia Pacific Region.

Sunil Kumar Singh, Chief Coordinator of APMCHUD Secretariat

Considering the fast growing urbanization in Asia Pacific region, The 3rd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) in Solo, Indonesia on June 22nd - 24th, 2010 will be an important milestone for Asia Pacific countries to strengthen their partnership in managing housing and urban development in the region.

Indonesia has strongly committed in supporting APMCHUD and implementing UN Habitat agenda, remarkably through the establishment of the National Secretariat of Habitat Indonesia. A tremendous collaboration of National Secretariat of Habitat Indonesia with City Government of Solo, Central Java to host The 3rd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) would encourage the success of APMCHUD agenda and its mutual networking in the future.

The 3rd APMCHUD conference theme 'Empowering Communities for Sustainable Urbanization' is very significant for all member countries to accomplish the prosperity of Asia Pacific region in the globalization era. Indonesia has promoted the community empowerment in various urban and rural housing projects as well as water and sanitation projects.

We invite and welcome all delegates from Asia Pacific countries to the wonderful City of Solo, Indonesia in June 2010.

Budi Yuwono P., Director General of Human Settlements, Ministry of Public Works, Republic of Indonesia and Chairman of Habitat Indonesia National Secretariat

It is an honor for the city of Solo to host the Third Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) this coming June 2010.

We hope that the city of Solo (also known officially as Surakarta) will provide new insights on the importance of community participation in achieving sustainable urbanization.

Solo is also referred to as the City of Batik. The Kampung Laweyan and Kampung Kauman are heritage sites and home to many traditional batik craftsman. Various designs of batik cloth and ready-made clothing are available with traditional as well as modern design. Each year Solo celebrates the Batik Carnival. This year, the carnival will be held the weekend along with the 3rd APMCHUD. We will also hold the Solo Expo during the conference to promote local produce.

There are many interesting heritage places to visit in Solo such as the palace Kraton Kasunan and Pura Mangkunegaran, Pasar Triwindu - an antique market, Pasar Gede and Pasar Klewer traditional markets, Taman Balekambang - an urban forest/park, Sangiran - a pre historic museum, Sukuh, Cetho, Prambanan and Borobudur - some tempels are few hours drive away from Solo.

I hope to see you in Solo, the City of Batik this coming June 2010.

Joko Widodo, Mayor of Solo, Central Java, Indonesia