Dr.Wally N'Dow
Secretary-General
United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements

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As Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), I take great pleasure in introducing this collection of White Papers on sustainable cities compiled through the efforts of the Business Coalition for Sustainable Cities, a division of the Earth Pledge Foundation (EPF). Many thanks go to Theodore Kheel, President of EPF, for yet another important contribution towards the success of Habitat II.

This impressive compilation, including the accounts of both large and small businesses working in every facet of corporate affairs, is a tribute to the practical efforts of the private sector. The businesses represented here have incorporated the principles of sustainable development into their everyday workings, and have largely succeeded in making their corporate practices more sustainable. It is through efforts such as the examples detailed here that Habitat II will ultimately be a success, and our common goal of achieving a sustainable future will be realized.

The Earth Pledge Foundation established the Business Coalition for Sustainable Cities (BCSC) as a means of including the private sector in this vital United Nations effort. Both Leslie Hoffman, EPF's Executive Director and William Lurie, Chairman of the BCSC, are to be congratulated on their accomplishments.

As the road continues from Istanbul, and we focus our attention on the implementation of the gains achieved here, the emerging relationships being forged among the private sector, the United Nations agencies and the NGO community will be crucial to our eventual success. The Business Coalition for Sustainable Cities and the Earth Pledge Foundation will be important allies of UNCHS in all our future efforts and I look forward to the opportunity of working together as we strive towards building sustainable cities for present and future generations.

Sustainable Cities White Papers Index
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