17-18 May 2022 | UCLG ASPAC’s 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee (21CMCC), Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), and Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, together with Silk Road Think Tank Association, and Foreign Affairs Office of Fujian Provincial People’s Government, convened the Second General Assembly of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Forum on Smart Ocean.
Over 120 delegates of 70 groups from 22 countries and three international organisations, including representatives of the Committee’s members, the Committee’s advisers, representatives of international organisations, officials of foreign embassies and consulates in China, representatives of Fuzhou’s International Friendship Cities and Cities of Friendly Exchanges, experts and scholars from China and other countries, and representatives from the business community, participated in this event. More than ten media outlets, including CCTV, People.cn, Xinhua Net, CNR.cn, SETV, fjsen.com, Fuzhou Daily, and Fuzhou Radio and Television Station, reported on this event.
The Second General Assembly of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee was convened on the afternoon of May 17. The General Assembly voted on and adopted the revised Charter of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, elected the new President, Co-Presidents and Secretary General, established the Council of the Committee, announced new members and advisers, and reported on the Committee’s work progress and plans for the future. In addition, a thematic activity was held for the members to review the Committee’s 5-year development, and the awards for “Most Active Committee Members” and “Advisers with Outstanding Contributions” were presented.
H.E. Mr. U Myo Thant Pe, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to China, Mr. Yan Dong, Vice President of the CPAFFC, and Mr. Wu Xiande, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and Mayor of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government addressed the opening ceremony. Leaders of relevant departments of Fujian Province, namely Mr. Chen Chuxin, Mr. Zhan Chenhui, Mr. Shi Huicai, and Mr. Jiang Hequan, as well as municipal leaders of Fuzhou City, namely Mr. Lin Jian and Mr. Huang Jianxiong, also attended the opening ceremony. Mr. Stuart Crosby, President of Local Government New Zealand, and Ms. Bernadia Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, participated via video message. The Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the Secretary General of Council of European Municipalities and Regions, UCLG, the Secretary General of UCLG-Eurasia, the Co-President of UCLG ASPAC and Chair of Standing Committee of Women in Local Governments, UCLG ASPAC, and the Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Guangzhou Municipal Committee expressed congratulations on the successful convening of the assembly through video messages.
On the afternoon of May 18, the Forum on Smart Ocean was held in a hybrid format. Mr. Lin Jian, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and President of Fuzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Cluster Office in Beijing, Mr. Wang Liyong, Deputy Director General of China Center for Contemporary World Studies and Deputy Secretary General of Silk Road Think Tank Association, addressed the audience. At the forum, an official of the government of Yangon City, Myanmar, an advisor for the Clean Cities Blue Ocean Project, the Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to China, the Director of the Department of Environmental Science, Xiamen University, the Consul General of the Republic of Costa Rica in Shanghai, a senior researcher of UN EP, the president of Hongdong Fishery Co., Ltd., the Chief Operating Officer of Tatwah Smartech Co., Ltd., and other speakers delivered keynote speeches to share on theoretical research, practical experience and development achievements in the field of smart ocean. Afterwards, under the theme of “Marine Development Through Science and Technology”, experts and scholars from various countries carried out free discussion around topics such as the construction of marine big data platforms, modern marine agricultural technology, development of smart ocean industries, application of the Internet of Things in ocean-related fields, etc., to pool wisdom for maritime development and unlock potential for maritime cooperation.
In the five years since the establishment of the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, its member cities and organisations have seen more smooth communication and closer connections. With its international influence continuously growing, the Committee has become an important platform for countries and regions along the “Belt and Road” to carry out maritime cooperation. The Second General Assembly of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Forum on Smart Ocean has successfully facilitated exchanges for win-win cooperation by providing opportunities to share innovative ideas and best practices in the maritime field. The event has strongly promoted the maritime exchanges and cooperation between Fuzhou and other member cities, and accelerated Fuzhou’s development into a modern international city. It will foster the maritime economic growth in cities of countries and regions involved in the Maritime Silk Road, injecting impetus into the “Belt and Road” development.
Source: 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee
