Istanbul Declaration Adopted in the Second Meeting
Istanbul Declaration Adopted in the Second Meeting Of the General Assembly of the Asian Mayors Forum We, the Mayors and Authorities of Asian cities convened in the Second Meeting of the General Assembly of the Asian Mayors Forum (AMF) on April 1st and 2nd of 2011, hosted by the municipality of Istanbul in collaboration with Union of Municipalities of Turkey and United Cities & Local Governments (UCLG, Middle East &West; Asia Section); Recalling the Final Declaration of the First Meeting of the Asian Mayors Forum in Tehran which was adopted unanimously on November 20th, 2008, and marked the establishment of the Forum with the aim of promoting and facilitating further cooperation and networking among Mayors and Municipalities throughout Asia; Emphasizing the crucial role of municipalities in enhancing the quality of life; realization of sustainable economic growth; and promotion of good governance at local, national and regional levels; Cognizant of the persistent common challenges defying effective urban management including rapid urbanization; urban inequality and poverty; vulnerable socio-cultural identity; poor conditions of health and safety; uneasy transportation and mobility;
environmental degradation; natural disasters; inefficient energy consumption, infrastructure; and unstable financial resources; Fostering further collaboration with regional and international organizations in developing future networking among Asian Cities to facilitate exchange of information and sharing of best practices relevant to sustainable urban development in Asia; Encouraging Member Cities and Municipal Authorities throughout Asia to provide humanitarian assistance and support to 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan; Extending profound appreciation to H.E. Dr. Mohamad Bager Ghalibaf, the Mayor of Tehran, for his exemplary leadership and determined efforts in promoting and supporting the objectives of AMF during his chairmanship. Expressing gratitude to the Government of Turkey for gracious offer extended to the Second Meeting of the Asian Mayors Forum and to H.E. Dr. Kadir Topbaş, Metropolitan Mayor of Istanbul, for his generous hospitality accorded to all participants during the meeting. Appreciating the constructive efforts made by the General Secretariat in preparing the draft Charter for the Forum; Adopt the Charter of the Asian Mayors Forum as considered and negotiated by the General Assembly and call upon all Member Cities to fulfill their commitments with respect to its provisions; Call Upon Member Cities and Municipal Authorities throughout Asia to promote policies and practices providing greater role for public participation in decision-making processes of urban management; planning and urban upgrading with a special emphasis on informal settlement; Urge the Mayors and Authorities of all Member Cities to undertake leadership role in synergizing efforts of all development sectors in response to adverse effects of socio-economic determinants of health; Decide to establish a working group under each Standing Commission of the AMF to consider ways and means for developing an effective network of city-to-city cooperation and identify common issues for the next meeting of the Forum; Call Upon the Mayors and Authorities of all Member Cities to appoint a focal point to follow up and facilitate the implementations of the decisions taken by the Forum and its authorized organs; Decide to start planning for an information portal on the Internet linking all Asian Cities with a view to promoting further communication among authorities and citizens of the Member Cities; Identify disaster risk management; city to city cooperation; urban health and equity; and urban transformation, as priority areas of cooperation in the near future.
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