Press Release

Participation of the World Union of Olympic Cities in the United Nations Habitat III Conference in Quito, Ecuador

Lausanne – Switzerland, October 19, 2016 – The World Union of Olympic Cities is part of the programme of the United Nations Habitat III Conference to be held October 17^th to 20^th in Quito Ecuador and will present its activities and how it contributes to helping cities ensure their sustainable urban development.

Habitat III, formally known as the United Nations conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, is a major global summit which takes place once in a generation. Third in a series that began in 1976, the 2016 Conference aims at reinvigorating the global political commitment to the sustainable development of towns, cities and other human settlements, both rural and urban. During conferences spread over four days, presidents, ministers, among other representatives, from 140 countries will produce and adopt a New Urban Agenda, a global vision of sustainable development for the next 20 years.

Concerned by urban development and strongly connected to the international sport world and the Olympic Movement, the World Union of Olympic Cities, by creating and maintaining a contact between past and future host cities, seeks to ensure a continuous and long-term legacy of the Olympic Games within host cities and to guarantee the exchange of knowledge.

The World Union of Olympic Cities will present its theme on Thursday 20^th. More information can be found here : Olympic legacies – Commitments for Sustainable Development

“Our presence to Habitat III in Quito is a significant step for the World Union of Olympic Cities, we’re very proud of it!” says Mrs. Mélanie Duparc, Secretary General of the World Union of Olympic Cities. “Such a rendezvous will allow us to revise our understanding of the current trends of urbanisation and confirm the model role Olympic Cities can play as sources of inspiration to other cities in order to ensure a sustainable and positive impact of the Games. “

The World Union of Olympic Cities is the only association which brings together former and future Olympic Cities. Currently, 38 cities are members of the Union.