But overall, the world now has 55 million extra slum dwellers than it did in 2000, according to UN Habitat, also known as the UN Human Settlements Programme.

BBC: UN says 227m people escaped slums in past decade

According to UN Habitat, the mega-cities of the future, (those with more than 10 million residents) will be "giant potential flood and disaster traps" if insufficient action is taken on behalf of their residents.

CNN: All About: Developing cities and pollution

Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, UNESCO Kabul Director, Ms. Catherine Mbengue, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan and Mr. Michael Slingsby, Country Representative for UN Habitat, attended a joint press conference today in Kabul to highlight the importance of literacy as the fundamental human right and the foundation for a democratic society.

UNESCO: OFFICE IN KABUL