A global partnership to bridge an existing urban gap among countries and peoples is the best way to reduce political challenges posing a threat to international security and stability, the Bahrain’s Premier said.

The nature of threats facing the world requires all parties to respond and develop a future vision to enhance urban development according to more equitable standards from which poor and under-developed countries can benefit, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

In a message marking the World Habitat Day 2014, to be observed today under the theme 'Voices from Slums', His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa affirmed that the international community is morally responsible to take the initiative and help poor countries.

"The World Habitat Day is an opportunity to remind the world of the main goal of the UN Human Settlements Programme - to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and to provide adequate shelter for all," he said.

"It is high time everyone listened to the voice of reason and wisdom, and turned the pages of conflicts and destruction in favour of co-operation to meet peoples' aspirations for prosperity for the sake of future generations," he added. - TradeArabia News Service