Opening Ceremony and Plenary Programme
Location: Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre – Exhibit Hall A
The World Urban Forum III opens with a welcoming ceremony followed by statements by dignitaries and key partners.
Traditional Aboriginal Welcome
Master of Ceremonies:
- Eric Falt, Director of the Division of Communications & Public Information, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya
Welcoming Remarks:
- Charles Kelly, Commissioner General, World Urban Forum III, Government of Canada
- Sam Sullivan, Mayor, City of Vancouver, Canada
- Gordon Campbell, Premier, Province of British Columbia, Canada
- Message from Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan
Opening Address:
- Anna Tibaijuka, Under Secretary-General, United Nations; Executive Director, UN-HABITAT, Kenya
- Noli de Castro, Vice President, Government of the Philippines
- Ali Mohamed Shein, Vice President, Government of Tanzania
Keynote Address:
- The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, Government of Canada
Opening Plenary Chairs:
- María Antonia Trujillo, Minister of Housing, Government of Spain; Chair, WUF II
- Diane Finley, Minister, Human Resources and Social Development, Government of Canada; Chair, WUF III
Adoption of agenda and organization of work for WUF III
Plenary Speakers:
- Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Government of the United States of America
- Naokazu Takemoto, Senior Vice Minister of Finance, Government of Japan
- Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Co-President, United Cities and Local Governments, South Africa
- Enrique Ortiz, Secretary General, Habitat International Coalition