Expo 2010 Theme:
Better City, Better Life

"Our cities must be places where human beings lead fulfilling lives in dignity, good health, safety, happiness and hope."

- Excerpt:  Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, issued at the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements in June 1996

In 1800, only two percent of the world’s population lived in cities. By 2010, it is expected that 55 percent of the world will be living in cities and urban settings. Expo 2010, through the official theme Better City, Better Life, will provide a world forum in which to examine the many challenges of sustainable urban development.

Expo 2010 will see China open its doors to the world, providing citizens of the global village the opportunity to experience a society that straddles the ancient and modern worlds. With cities dating back more than a thousand years and containing one fifth of the global population, China has a unique perspective on cities - the challenges they present and the promise they hold for the future. At Expo 2010, participating countries will discuss issues of global importance relating to urban living and sustainable development, including the impact on resources and the environment.