ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES SUPPORT APMCHUD IN SOLO

Jakarta, May 23 (ANTARA) - Asia-Pacific countries have expressed support for the holding of the Asia Pacific Ministers' Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) in Solo, Central Java, on June 22-24, an official said.

The support was reflected by the enthusiasm of their ambassadors and representatives during an embassy briefing held at the Public Housing Ministry here last week on preparations for the conference, Iskandar Saleh, the ministry's secretary, said on Sunday.

"They enthusiastically attended the briefing. This is part of the joint efforts to face and address problems related to urban housing and development," he said.

Their participation in the conference was motivated by common awareness and commitment to address urban challenges in a sustainable way, said Iskandar, who is also second vice chairman of the event's organizing committee.

In the past few decades the Asia-Pacific countries had seen rapid urban development, he said.

Quoting a UN report, he said nearly 50 percent of the world's population currently live in urban areas. The figure is expected to increase to 60 percent in 2030 and more than a half of them will live in the Asia-Pacific region.

The rapid urban development without proper management would have a negative impact on many things, including air pollution, and water supply, he said.