Note to Editor.............................. UN ESCAP News Services

26 January 2003
Note to editor: N/01/2004

UN Organizes Meeting on New Sustainable Transport Model for Developing Cities

World's Leading Urban Reformer Shares New Way to Build Cities

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services)--The United Nations Economic and Social for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, GTZ and CITYNET are jointly organizing a one-day Conference on Building a New City: Sustainable Transport in Bangkok on Friday, 30 January 2004 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.

H.E. Mr. Samak Sundaravej, Governor of Bangkok will open the conference and speak on the topic of Sustainable Transport and City Livability in Bangkok.

The special Guest of Speak of the Conference is Former Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa who will bring 'Bogota model' to Bangkok. In the space of just three years, from 1998-2001, Mr. Penalosa transformed his city of 6.5 million inhabitants from a dangerous and congested mess into one of the world's foremost examples of sustainable urban development.

The Conference will present 'How was this remarkable transformation achieved?' Revolutionary transport system innovations which are now being emulated around the world played a major part.

NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are cordially to attend the Conference on Building a New City: Sustainable Transport in Bangkok and hear more about how Bangkok can learn from Bogota and develop long terms solutions to its urban transport problems.

The conference will be held on Friday, 30 January 2004 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm in Conference Room 1 of the United Nations Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok

For more information visit www.sutp.org.

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