Kuala Lumpur, 8 February 2018 – The Prime Minister of Malaysia, His Excellency Najib Razak, opened the World Urban Forum in an official ceremony today with participants celebrating the energy building for implementing the New Urban Agenda.

Speaking at the opening, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Shariff said: “With its genuine openness and inclusive nature, the World Urban Forum is a chance for stakeholders from all over the world to contribute to the global conversation about our cities and human settlements.”

As well as speeches by the Prime Minister and the European Commissioner for Regional and Urban Policy, Corina Cretu, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales sent a video message with a powerful call to participants about the value of sustainable urban development in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals laid out in Agenda 2030.

“I urge you all to seize the opportunity of this unique gathering to share and develop practical initiatives that will make the New Urban Agenda a transformative reality,” said the Crown Prince.

The World Urban Forum opened with more than 25,000 registrants from 185 countries attending more than 500 events and was celebrated as the most inclusive to date with 90 per cent of least developed countries represented.

As well as the official programme, partners and stakeholders in the New Urban Agenda showcase some of their more innovative urban solutions at the exhibition and the Urban Village.