The Library of
Global Forum on Human Settlements
to be published in 2020

When we are compiling the Library of Global Forum on Human Settlements, the COVID-19 started, spread and then grew to a global pandemic.

As of March 31, there are more than 800,000 confirmed cases worldwide, affecting more than 200 countries and regions, inflicting huge losses on human lives, emotions, and economy. The impact of this unexpected disaster is no less than a World War. We express our sorrow and condolences for the loss and suffering that the disaster has brought to the people all over the world.

This can be considered as an ecological security crisis and looks like nature's another revenge and punishment for human beings’ unsustainable development modes. Now all countries in the world are taking urgent measures to fight the dreadful virus. We believe that the disaster will eventually be overcome. However, it propels us to deeply rethink and realize the importance of education, enlightenment and knowledge as well as wisdom. Hence, this disaster makes it more valuable and meaningful to compile the large-scale academic literature - The Library of Global Forum on Human Settlements (Volume I & II, bilingual in both Chinese and English).

Besides, in 2020, the world has entered a Decade of Action on the Sustainable Development Goals, but it remains a daunting task to realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the world has committed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2020 also marks the 15th anniversary of the Global Forum on Human Settlements (2005-2020). The 15-year trajectory – from a Decade of Action on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000-2015) in 2005 to a Decade of Action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015-2030) in 2020, was considered a critical period for the international community to consciously make a comprehensive transition to sustainable development. It also saw the remarkable development of Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) since its inception, with the annual session of GFHS taking place across five continents of the world. It therefore implies significant meanings.

Currently, The Library of Global Forum on Human Settlements is being compiled and scheduled to be launched at GFHS 2020, to observe the 15th anniversary of the GFHS and the world’s entry into the Decade of Action on the SDGs. The objectives are: a) to select, summarize and highlight excellent academic ideas, wisdom as well as practices that concern sustainable cities and human settlements around the globe, so as to provide reference for all stakeholders and to promote broader and deeper sharing, learning and thinking, as well as knowledge creation; b) to unfold and record the world’s history and transformational trajectory of sustainable development from 2005 to 2020, thus enlightening the future, and c) to encourage more people to participate in the sustainable development cause, to stick to our original aspiration, to forge ahead, and to promote sustainable cities and human settlements for all and drive the realization of the SDGs.

Volume I is called “Viewpoints”. It is designed to select the speeches, articles, and interviews that were presented at the 15 annual sessions of Global Forum on Human Settlements and published in some 30 issues of the World Best Practices Magazine (WBPM). Volume II is called “Models”, which will cover green cities, low-carbon ecological destinations, outstanding individuals and organizations, model communities/building projects, green technology, among others. Most of the selected practices were recognized by the "Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards".

This Library is a significant non-profit cultural and educational project in the field of global sustainable cities and human settlements. Being a great program in the history of sustainable development, it will reap fruitful results and cast far-reaching impact. This Library is planned to be published by a well-known Chinese national publishing house. It is scheduled to be launched at the 15th annual session of Global Forum on Human Settlements in late 2020. In the meantime, both the hardcopy and electronic version will be released worldwide, and will go into libraries and large databases which can be consulted by experts and scholars across the world.

We warmly welcome your collaboration, contribution and interaction.

By Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS)