This paper is about the new urban agenda for the 1990s, which will extend beyond GNP growth in cities to focus on alleviating poverty, on strengthening local government & decentralising power and resources to cities, on improving the urban environment and on promoting the private sector and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) with a gender focus. This addresses the challenge of urbanisation, past government policies, international assistance, cities and human development and UNDP’s strategy for urban development.