December 23, 2009
His Excellency Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations
United Nations
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
USA
Dear Mr Secretary-General:
I have the pleasure of sending to you a copy of the Seoul Declaration 2009 that was adopted at
the 2nd International Forum Dynamics Cities Need Women: Visions and Challenges for a
Women Friendly City that was held in Seoul, South Korea, October 21-24, 2009. This Forum coorganized by the METROPOLIS Women International Network and the Seoul Metropolitan
Government represented by Seoul Foundation of Women & Family, was a real success with
elected representatives, managers and experts representing cities, international organisations
and NGO coming from 64 cities and 42 countries (www.womenfriendlycity.or.kr).
The Forum, opened with the keynote address by Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, United Nations Under
Secretary General, has truly demonstrated the importance for cities, international and national
organizations and NGOs to work together. I think it is important for cities to better understand
women’s perspectives and that the implementation of women friendly cities will represent a
benefit not only for women but also for the whole society.
I would appreciate your support to transmit the Seoul Declaration to the relevant entities of the
United Nations whose policies and actions are involved in urban issues and equality between
women and men. The Seoul Declaration also reaffirms the Brussels Declaration that was
adopted at the 1st International Forum Dynamic Cities Need Women: Actions and Policies for
Gender Equality, held in Brussels 3-7 December 2007.
Also, as indicated in the Seoul Declaration, the METROPOLIS Women International Network
wishes to offer its full collaboration to the strengthened United Nation’s gender entity when it is
established. The METROPOLIS Women International Network has for mission to foster
international exchanges, co-operation and solidarity on urban issues between elected and
appointed women, women executives, managers and professionals involved at local and
regional levels. The Network, made up of women from cities of all continents, is a dynamic
component of METROPOLIS (www.metropolis.org).
As 2010 is marking the 15th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
(1995) Beijing +15, METROPOLIS contributes through its actions in cities to the United Nations
efforts to support to the cause of women for a better world.
I thank you in advance for your involvement on this matter.
Sincerely yours,
The President
Jean-Paul Huchon
Encl. : Seoul Declaration 2009; Brussels Declaration 2007