The 2nd issue of Urban Syria as the quarterly bulletin on urban themes by the Ministry of Local Administration concentrates on the upcoming Conference of Syrian Cities in Damascus from 28 - 29 September. In a joint effort the Ministry of Local Administration, selected cities and the Urban Development Program supported by GTZ have been working on a Memorandum on Sustainable Urban Development in Syria and a Charter of Syrian Cities (please visit also www.udp-syra\......). These documents are going to be discussed amongst the representatives of cities, delegates by ministries and MLA during the conference. The documents shall outline the framework for an urban development strategy for Syria, provide the necessary inputs for the 11th Five Year Plan and an action program jointly agreed upon by MLA and the Syrian cities. The new urban development policy shall draw the attention to the fact that Syria's future lays in the urban areas. It shall also draw attention to the need that a bright future of urban areas in Syria requires reform activities by the public sector at central and local level. For this, joint efforts are required - the Charter of Syrian cities which you find enclosed explores on this in further detail. Urban Syria relies on your comments and contributions. Please use the chance to expand on the raised issues and to improve the contents of the newsletter by your own contributions.