1. The City of Nanjing calls upon the participants of the fourth session of the World Urban Forum, held fro 3-6 November 2008, to forge a positive vision of urbanization.

2. A positive outlook is important to realize the full potential of cities in improving the living conditions of all women, men, youth, children and the elderly in overcoming the challenges of climate change, the inequities between and within cities, countries and regions, and the destruction of historical and cultural heritage.

3. Harmonious urbanization is the common aspiration of humankind. It encompasses the social, economic and environmental pillars of sustainable development with and added emphasis on the harmonious relationship between peoples, between people and nature, and between the past and the future. It requires that we exploit to the full all that science and technology has to offer. It also emphasizes respect for each other across gender and age groups, respect for the natural environment, and respect of historical heritage.

4. The City of Nanjing hereby calls upon the participants of the Forum to acknowledge:

5. That, in the pursuit of harmonious urbanization, we should all respect nature by ensuring a balanced and a holistic approach to planning the built environment and to protecting the natural environment through the careful use of natural resources such as land, water and energy, and the respect of bio-diversity.

6. That particular attention be paid to regional balance, social justice and to empowering the poor. In this respect, developed countries and cities should do their utmost to help their developing country counterparts access the transfer of technology, the sharing of knowledge and the exchange of expertise and experience. In addition, particular attention should be paid to improving the living conditions of low-income households.

7. The special attention be paid to preserving historical and cultural heritage. Such heritage encapsulates the collective wisdom and common wealth of humanity. Protecting historical and cultural heritage is an important means of promoting peace and solidarity as it creates unity within diversity and strengthens the ties between peoples, ethnic groups and nations.

8. Harmonious urbanization calls for extensive cooperation across all local jurisdictions (provincial, municipal,country) and among all actors from the public, private and non-governmental sectors. It requires that we engage in a concerted effort to promote efficient and equitable use of land, water and energy, to engage in poverty reduction, and to improve governance. To this effect, city-to-city cooperation, including south-south city-to-city cooperation, should be promoted actively.

9. We are encouraged by the the hosting of the fourth session of the World Urban Forum to further build opon our efforts to make Nanjing even more harmonious, and call upon all other cities and communities to join us.