聯合國人居署官員在世界人居日(World Habitat Day)慶祝活動上指出，截至2008年年底，全球超過半數的人口居住在都市區域內，可說是史無前例，而這也讓氣候變遷成為國際爭議話題的焦點。
聯合國人居署主要工作在推動永續社會環境城鎮都市，以及為每個人提供適當的住所。每年10月的第1個星期一被定為世界人居日，署長提貝盧卡(Anna Tibaijuka)在當天發表的談話中表示：「全球都市消耗掉全球75%的能源，並排放出相對大量的溫室氣體，因此都市勢必是任何減緩氣候暖化行動不可缺的一部份。」
2008年世界人居日的主題為「和諧城市」，全球慶祝活動從西非安哥拉首都羅安達開始起跑，安哥拉在經過近30年的內鬥衝突後，透過都市建設服務以及新的都市發展策略，已逐步打造出一個和諧的城市，而慶祝活動的重點就是將這些經驗分享給全世界。
非洲各國住房建設部部長，特別是南部非洲發展共同體會員國，都出席了首次在非洲大陸舉辦的慶祝儀式，主要內容包括文化活動、頒獎典禮和政府官員演講談話。
提貝盧卡表示，非洲擁有全球67億人口，其中超過10億人居住在都市貧民區，她強調確保都市化快速發展的同時，也需兼顧良好的生活條件以及有效維護環境。
她指出：「減少都市排放導致氣候變遷的溫室氣體，以及預防氣候變遷效應對於都市所造成的損害，必須被視為改變全球人類生活條件的重要關鍵，都市人口中最為弱勢的族群也應當包括在內。將這些成果加以結合，是目前我能想到讓都市城鎮更加環保、安全和公平的方法。」
2008年世界人居日慶祝活動在第四屆世界城市論壇之前先行舉辦，此屆世界城市論壇將於11月3日到11月6日在中國南京召開，屆時聯合國人居署也將發表兩年一次的刊物「全球都市現況」。
By the end of this year, more than half of the world's population will live in urban areas for the first time in human history, and it is no coincidence that climate change is now at the forefront of international debate, the top United Nations habitat official said to mark World Habitat Day.
Anna Tibaijuka serves as executive director of UN-HABITAT, the agency which promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and adequate shelter for all. "Cities consume upwards of 75 percent of all energy and contribute to an equally substantial amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Cities must therefore be an integral part of any mitigation efforts," she said on World Habitat Day, which is observed on the first Monday in October each year.
The theme of this year's World Habitat Day is "harmonious cities," and the global observance this year is being led from the Angolan capital, Luanda.
The celebrations in Angola are intended to show the world how, after nearly three decades years of conflict, the country is progressing in the establishment of harmonious cities through improvements in urban infrastructure and services, and a new urban development strategy.
Attending the event, taking place for the first time on the African continent, were African housing ministers, particularly those from the Southern Africa Development Community. The celebration featured cultural activities, award ceremonies, and speeches by government officials.
Of the world's 6.7 billion people, there are now more than one billion urban slum dwellers Tibaijuka said, emphasizing the need to ensure that rapid urbanization is accompanied by decent living conditions and efforts to preserve the environment.
"Reducing the contribution of cities to climate change and the vulnerability of cities to the effects of climate change must be viewed as a historical opportunity to improve the living conditions of all women and men, including the most vulnerable segments of our urban populations," she said. "I can think of no better initiative than to combine these efforts to make our cities and towns greener and safer and more equitable."
This year's World Habitat Day comes ahead of the fourth session of the World Urban Forum, set to take place in Nanjing, China, from November 3 to 6. There, UN-HABITAT will release its latest biennial publication "State of the World's Cities."
全文及圖片詳見：ENS
