19/10/2016 (Agence Europe) – During a visit to the future metro in Quito, the city in which the UN Habitat III conference is currently taking place, the vice-president of the European Investment Bank(EIB), Jan Vapaavuori, confirmed the bank’s determination to support urban development, particularly in the area of sustainable transport. On 23 September, the EIB board of directors adopted a lending strategy for urban areas in connection with the Pact of Amsterdam that was adopted in May (see EUROPE 11552). This involves a comprehensive strategy that takes into account all the aspects and challenges involved in urban areas (such as housing, transport and poverty) and is based around the 12 priorities of the EU’s Urban Agenda. (PH)