A/RES/60/203 Recalling further the 2005 World Summit Outcome, 7 Recalling the decisions of the Commission on Sustainable Development at its thirteenth session related to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and human settlements, 8 Recognizing that the overall thrust and strategic vision of UN-Habitat and its emphasis on the two global campaigns on secure tenure and urban governance are strategic points of entry for the effective implementation of the Habitat Agenda, especially for guiding international cooperation in respect of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements development, Conscious of the unique opportunity provided by the Cities Without Slums Initiative mentioned in the Millennium Declaration for realizing economies of scale and substantial multiplier effects in helping to attain the other Millennium Development Goals, Acknowledging the significance of the urban dimension of poverty eradication and the need to integrate water and sanitation issues within a broad-based approach to human settlements, Expressing its appreciation to the regular Assembly of Ministers and Highlevel Authorities of the Housing and Urban Development Sector in Latin America and the Caribbean and its recent plan of action on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, Expressing its appreciation also to the African Union, UN-Habitat and the Government of South Africa for convening and hosting the first African conference of housing and urban development ministers in Durban from 31 January to 4 February 2005, which established the African Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development to promote sustainable human settlements in Africa, Expressing its appreciation further to the Government of Canada and the city of Vancouver for their willingness to host the third session of the World Urban Forum in June 2006 and to the Government of China and the city of Nanjing for their willingness to host the fourth session of the World Urban Forum in 2008, Taking note of the reports entitled The State of the World’s Cities 2004–2005: Globalization and Urban Culture 9 and the Global Report on Human Settlements 2005: Financing Urban Shelter, 10 Noting the efforts by UN-Habitat to strengthen its collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and other international organizations and its participation in the Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs, Recognizing the continued urgent need for increased and predictable financial contributions to the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation to ensure timely, effective and concrete global implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium and the relevant internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in _______________ 7 See resolution 60/1. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 9 (E/2005/29), chap. I, sect. C. 9 United Nations publication, Sales No. 04.III.Q.2. 10 United Nations publication, Sales No. 05.III.Q.1. 8 2