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WORKING GROUP I

The Chair, Pamela Mboya (Kenya), opened the second session of Working Group I to complete Agenda Item 3 (Conference preparations). She said the informal consultations on financing Habitat II will report to the Group. The informal Australian proposal that States and intergovernmental organizations commit to action on the Habitat II agenda by 2000 was sent to the Plenary for discussion under Agenda Item 5 (provisional agenda). India said part of the proposal was already covered by the requirement that States prepare national action plans.

Chair Mboya invited representatives of Conference partner organizations to explain their activities. Mr. Drew Horgan, Local Authorities Steering Committee for Habitat II, described plans for a World Assembly of Cities and Local Authorities and a declaration in Istanbul. Mr. Zekai Baloglu, Vice President, Third Sector Foundation of Turkey, said the Foundation Forum at the Conference will initiate global dialogue, accept a foundation declaration, and set up a task force. Ms. Seyhan Erdogdn, International Federation of Building and Woodworkers, described preparations for the Trade Union Forum. Mr. Jorge Wilheim, Habitat Secretariat, explained that two sets of external parallel activities will take place alongside the Conference. Other activities will include exhibitions, a trade fair, and major cultural events at the opening and closing of Habitat II.