WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU REGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL COMMITTEE Forty-ninth session Manila 14--18 September 1998
WPRlRC49INGO/6
18 September 1998 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
Provisional agenda item 19
STATEMENT BY MRS VIOLET A SOMERA SEVA REPRESENTATIVE, THE WORLD ASSOCIATION OF MAJOR METROPOLISES The Association of the World Metropolises or ··Metropolis" wishes to confirm its interest in strengthening linkage with the World Health Organization. It is our desire that exchange programmes with the World Health Organization be pursued especially on em·ironment, urban ecology and health. Metropolis pemlanent commiSSIOn no. 3 is currently focusing its efforts on policies to fight air pollution. Metropolitan government leaders \\"orldmde are addressing the pressing problem of poor air quality in major urban centres. Indeed, \\"e have to direct our efforts in promoting physical health by ensuring better quality of our ecosystems for an improv'-!d air quality. We recognize the vital role the solidarity of countries play, most especially countries which have directed their efforts in pursuing and advancing their research and development in health and medicine and we take note of the special task borne by the World Health Organization in this regard. Metropolis and its members would like to assocIate with programs developed by the World Health Organization for the development of major metropolises. Urbanization takes place at such a quick pace resulting to grave urban problems. The call is such that we have pool our efforts together in order that we ensure our success over in1mense health concerns. Therefore we reiterate our desire for more solid, sustained cooperation and better linkages in all our endeavours in pursuit of the same goals. Thank you and good day.