The World Charter is currently being discussed at a number of regional consultations. In the same year, the role of the advisory committee will become even more critical. As the world prepares for Istanbul plus 5 in 2001, the United Nations follow-up conference of Habitat II, the city summit held in Istanbul in 1996, the committee will be expected to provide guidance on the important issues facing cities in the 21 st Century. Themes to be addressed by the Committee in its work include the discussion of norms of secure tenure and urban governance. This is the urban millennium, and as Venice itself shows, cities can survive as centres of excellence and innovation.
Innovation is the key to the future survival of our cities.