Singapore is honoured to host this World Conference as our contribution to the Joint Initiative on Sustainable Development. Over the next two days, we look forward to the opportunity to learn from this international gathering of political leaders, experts, scholars and urban planners as you present your ideas and experiences on building successful, attractive and thriving cities. As we approach the new millennium, we can look forward to a new Age of Cities. Your very presence here today attests to the global trend of cities becoming knowledge hubs, and centres for exchange of information and ideas. With rapid advances in information technology and transportation systems, sheer physical size and abundance of natural resources are no longer determining factors for a successful economy.
Competition now is in terms of responsiveness to change and adaptation to new technologies.
Cities that display nimbleness and dynamism will be able to capitalise on new opportunities for growth and sustained development in a global economy. This morning, I take pleasure in sharing with you Singapore s perspective on defining model cities. The idea of a model city does not and should not refer to a single universal ideal. In reality, no city can claim to be the ideal city. Given their varied social and cultural backgrounds, different cities are faced with different challenges and complexities peculiar to their history and stage of development.