1993 Shanghai (People's Republic of China), 2nd conference
- SHANGHAI DECLARATION
As representatives of 27 cities from 22 countries and one international organization we gather in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China from Nov 17th to 19th, 1993 and hold the 2nd International Conference of Aquapolises.
With the theme of "Creating Aquapolises of the 21st Century," the Conference has reviewed the endeavors and experiences of the participating cities, ever since the 1st International Conference of Aquapolises, in respect of protecting, developing and utilizing urban water resources, improving urban ecological conditions and protecting environments of aquapolises. In addition, this Conference has also made a deep probe into the approaches to Creating Aquapolises of the 21st Century.It is acknowledged at the Conference that all the participating aquapolises have made many new achievements in urban construction as well as environmental protection since the issue of Osaka Declaration. Such new developments actually result from each city's creative explorations and endeavors based upon its own natural environment and economic situation. Upon such a common evaluation, the participating cities have summarized and exchanged their experience and benefited from each other. The hard work of this Conference is considered to be successful.
The most important task of creating the 21st Century Aquapolises is to develop the harmonious relationship between human society and the nature as well as coordinate economic growth with environmental protection. The realization of this universal target of the whole mankind urges for unceasingly updated experience. The following aspects have been deeply researched and fully discussed during the Conference:
1) the protection and supply of water-- the greatest resource of aquapolises and new technologies in sewage -treatment;
2) new ideas, new concepts and new measures in urban planning and harbor construction of the 21st Century Aquapolises;
3) the crucial linking between urban economic growth and environmental protection for the purpose of improving urban environmental efficiencies;
4) the expansion and development of urban greenbelts, greenery of city, beautification of surroundings, so as to achieve better ecological effects and improve ecological condition;
5) prevention and against natural calamities and technical control measures.
In addition, the possibility of utilizing water as a tourism resource with the aim of gaining economic efficiencies has also been discussed during the Conference. The various rich and unique experience of different cities have been shared by all the participants and rendering lots of inspirations, which will be helpful to the future practice.
It is commonly agreed at the Conference that, on the threshold of approaching tile 21st century, the builders of new aqaupolises, confronted with various challenges, stemming either from nature or society, will have to shoulder heavy tasks and to have a long way ahead. They have to persist in the strategic principles of synchronized planning, implementing and developing economic construction, urban and rural construction and environmental construction. They have to adhere to the basic rules of unifying economic, social and environmental efficiencies, exert their efforts in developing and applying new technologies and unceasingly protect the ecological environment.
As the current situations require us to contribute our utmost efforts and intelligence, it is extremely important for us to strengthen international cooperations and communications and jointly explore the environmental and urban development problems which we are commonly faced with. Therefore, it is unanimously agreed during the Conference that the cooperations between the participating cities shall be further strengthened and all of us shall make further joint efforts to establish more splendid and prosperous future aquapolises.
The meeting of the Directorial Cities was also convened simultaneously during the Conference. At this meeting, the statute of the International Conference of Aquapolises had been fully discussed and adopted with an agreement on the convening of the 3rd International Conference of Aquapolises within the coming three years and the venue and date of this Conference will be determined after the Secretariat has consulted and communicated with relevant cities.
Shanghai is developing which needs to absorb beneficial international experience. The presence of representatives from various countries in Shanghai and their participation in the Conference is a demonstration of their trust in Shanghai. The city of Shanghai extends its sincere gratitude to all the representatives and experts who attended the 2nd International Conference of Aquapolises.
Nov. 19, 1993
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