Welcome note from APMCHUD Program Committee Chairman

Dear Participants,

As the Program Chairman, it is with great pleasure I welcome you to attend the 3rd
Asia Pacific Ministers’ Conference on Housing and Urban Development
(APMCHUD) in Jakarta.

Countries of the Asia Pacific region, for the past decade, have been experiencing
unprecedented increase in urbanisation and the complex planning challenges that
come with it. Urban growth is projected to double from 3.3 billion in 2007 to 6.4
billion by 2050. Much of this growth will take place in developing countries, that
include Asia, where according to AMPCHUD eleven of the world’s mega cities of
over 10 million in population are in Asia. In those cities, approximately 43 percent of
their dwellers live in slum areas. The prediction is that global slum population may
reach 1.4 billion by 2020, where one of two slum dwellers will reside in Asia. .

It is, therefore, inevitable the ongoing challenges of rapid urbanisation and the urgent
need to cater for expanded problems of slum dwellings will be inextricably linked.

This year's conference will draw attendance from leading professionals and experts in
community participation in urban planning and management, urban slums upgrading,
sustainable housing and urbanisation, water and waste water management and role of
community in climate change, from Asia Pacific countries and the world.

The expected outcome or outcomes of the 3rd APMCHUD will be encapsulated under
the heading Solo Declaration containing a regional frame work for empowering
communities for sustainable urbanisation, with strong context of climate change and
strengthening the local economy.

This 3 - day conference offers an excellent opportunity for you to meet with fellows
of common interest in urbanisation and community empowerment from Asia Pacific,
and other parts of the world and share each other’s view, and create an opportunity for
networking, collaboration, sharing of technical information and the building of trust
relationships internationally. As always, we extend a warm welcome to all our
colleagues in the Habitat Agenda Partners who share our interest in improving our
communities.

I am looking forward to meeting you in Solo ( the seat of Surakarta sultanate ) in

June, at what promises to be a most stimulating and enjoyable event!

Suharso Monoarfa,

Republic of Indonesia Minister of Housing