Mayors conference endorses 'Dehradun declaration'

Dehradun, Nov 28: The first Asian Mayors conference concluded today with Mayors Assembly resolving to raise issues of equity and social justice that countries and cities have to contend with and stressing on alleviating poverty through multi-pronged strategies.

In the 'Dehradun Declaration,' the Mayors from more than 80 cities from all over Asian countries recognized that in the coming decades of this new century, cities would play and increasing dominant role in the affairs of countries and the world in whole.

They resolved to warrant a fresh look at the demarcation of cities, strategies and tools of inclusive city planning including safety, security and disaster management.

Realising that solutions to many of the problems of the poor were to be found locally, the Mayors resolved to jointly look for the solutions for the problems through slum upgradation, implementation of livelihood programs, housing, health,education, environment and better living conditions for the poor and also work towards establishing an "Asian Mayors' Forum on Alleviation of Urban Poverty".

The Mayors Assembly has also stressed on greater involvement of academia and civic community in resolving problems of sustainable growth at the local level and alleviation of poverty.

The resolution has also emphasized on proactively engaging the private sector through diverse public private partnerships, including field of culture. Strengthening of mutual cooperation among various cities, nations, provinces and city based networks of stakeholders were also made part of the resolution. The Mayors had declared to commit themselves towards enlisting the active support of NGOs, Self Help Groups and other activists devoting time and energy for helping the poor, women, children, handicapped and socially marginalized. Realising the importance of capacity building for city stake holders they would endeavour to assist each other and seek the cooperation of institutions and global and regional associations of local authorities.

In a bid to improve environment in cities they would work towards benchmarking the cities environment and set goals for its protection and improvement for quality life to the citizens.

The Mayors have urged the National and State Governments of nations to strengthen the role of cities through local decentralization, institutional, legal and financial reforms and a uniform tenure of Mayors coterminous with elected local bodies and facilitate the emergence of true participatory governance in cities.

They recommended that the international donor organizations paid greater heed to urbanization and support cities in meeting their pressing challenges.

UNI