Five years ago, when the world came together at Istanbul for the Habitat Conference, our leaders offered a positive vision for creating healthy, safe, and sustainable human settlements. With an engaging spirit of renewed optimism, we kindled a sense of hope for our common future and an exhortation to a truly worthwhile and engaging global challenge. Today, as we embark upon a review of our own performance, we have, unfortunately, little to celebrate. The malady afflicting the human settlements continues unabated. Urban poverty has expanded.
Millions remain deprived of their basic civic rights.
The promises made in the Istanbul Declaration and the Habitat agenda to deal with the common challenges were never fulfilled. The realization of the vision of our leaders is still a far cry. It is indeed time for introspection, for identifying obstacles that block our way, and to find solutions that will last and make a difference. Mr. President, 6. Poverty induces migration to the lands of perceived opportunities.