The 184-day Shanghai World Expo lowers the curtain on October 31; however, it opens the door for nations to build better cities and better life for mankind, which is the theme of the Expo.
Participant nations and international organizations at the Expo jointly issued the Shanghai Declaration on October 31, which pledged to build cities that establish harmony between diverse people, between development and environment and between cultural legacies and future innovations.
The consensus came after they explored, envisioned and simulated the mosaic of urban life through the exhibitions of the pavilions, the instructive showcases of urban best practices and the in-depth intellectual exchanges during the six months.
JOINT DETERMINATION TOWARDS THE BETTER
The declaration is a "summary of the substantive achievements" of the Expo and "an expression of the shared aspirations of people round the world for a 'Better City, Better Life'", the statement said.
It said that people's understanding and pursuit of a better life are both the foundations and the engines of urban development and it is necessary to re-examine the relationship between people, cities and the planet.
Cities should look to innovations as solutions in tackling the challenges of urban development, including population explosion, traffic congestion, environmental pollution, resource shortages, urban poverty and cultural conflicts, the statement said.
This Expo "offers hope for tackling the growing challenges of our age of urbanization ", United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the forum, hoping China will be an urban pioneer.
Participants proposed in the statement that cities should promote the use of renewable energy sources and build low-carbon eco-cities, and pursue inclusive and balanced growth.
Efforts should be made to promote scientific and technological innovation as a path to development, it said, urging more investment in information and communication technology infrastructure to strengthen services across multiple sectors, and to build an intelligent digital nervous system supporting urban operations.
Cities should pursue cultural innovation based on respect for cultural traditions and the preservation of cultural diversity to generate lasting momentum for urban and human development, it said.
They should enhance urban planning to promote a civil, safe and livable urban neighborhoods, and coordinate balanced development with rural regions through the provision of services and infrastructure, it said.
The declaration also proposed that Oct. 31, the closing day of the World Expo 2010, should be nominated as World Better Cities Day, in a bid to recall, renew and advance ideas and practices of the Shanghai Expo for future development.
It called upon the world to promote sustainable urban development, foster cooperation and exchanges among cities and regions, and share experiences and lessons in urbanization.