September 2023 | UCLG ASPAC Secretary General and Secretariat Team paid a visit to China this year to discuss with the Host City, Yiwu, the preparations towards the success of the 9th UCLG ASPAC Congress. UCLG ASPAC Secretary General also paid courtesy visit to the new Mayor of Xi’an, and the Mayor of Zhengzhou, with UCLG ASPAC delegates attended several visits to Chinese cities and participated in the forums that each city held.
Preparations to the 9th UCLG ASPAC Congress
September 5 | Led by Ms. Vivian, Deputy Director of Yiwu Foreign Affairs Office, the Secretariat team and host city team met local stakeholders and conducted coordination, further planning, and modifications on various matters. The team discussed and assessed the suitability of conference and exhibition venues, ensured convenience on accommodations and city tour arrangements.
UCLG ASPAC Secretariat and Host City are confident that the Congress will be a big success and meet its objectives. The Congress is expected to attract around 500 participants from around the Asia-Pacific region, including mayors, city councilors, senior government officials, academics, and civil society representatives. It will provide a platform for participants to discuss and share best practices on a range of important issues facing cities and local governments in the region, such as sustainable development, climate change, and disaster resilience.
Visit to Chinese Cities – Hangzhou
September 5 | UCLG ASPAC Secretary General, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi visited Hangzhou and participated in the 6th Hangzhou International Day and the 2nd Belt and Road Local Cooperation (BRLC) General Assembly. She emphasised that the 6th Hangzhou International Day will encapsulate the very essence of our global aspirations—to forge ahead with unity, to navigate challenges hand in hand, and to cultivate a future that is not only sustainable but also inclusive and harmonious, and to combine the spirit of solidarity of the Asian Games with robust international cooperation.
The 2nd BRLC General Assembly was opened by the President of UCLG ASPAC, Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality, Mayor Ashok Kumar Byanju Shresta. In her closing, Dr. Bernadia highlighted to utilise this Committee as a win-win cooperation platform for cities and local governments along the silk road in various sectors. She also encouraged all members of BRLC Committee to share their best practices and build the bridges, forge the partnerships to uplift the communities.
Xi’an
September 8 | UCLG ASPAC Secretary General paid a courtesy visit to the new Mayor of Xi’an, Mr. Ye Niuping. Held at the mayor’s office, Mayor Ye was accompanied by Mr. Wang Jiandong, Secretary General of Xi’an Municipal People’s Government; Mr. Qiang Sheng, the Director of Xi’an Foreign Affairs Office; and Mr. Sun Chao, Director of Xi’an Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.
UCLG ASPAC Secretary General conveyed her congratulations to the newly appointed Mayor of Xi’an. She appreciated Xi’an’s contribution to the Organisation with various activities and agenda including their active role as the lead city of UCLG ASPAC Tourism Committee. UCLG ASPAC is ready to expand the cooperation and collaboration with Xi’an, including extension of the MoU of cooperation in various aspects.
Mayor Ye conveyed his great appreciation to Secretary General Bernadia and the team at the UCLG ASPAC Secretariat for giving the great support to Xi’an. Currently, Xi’an is moving forward to becoming the role model of Chinese cities that emphasises on eight priorities of the national interests: electronics and information, vehicle manufacturing, advanced material and new energy, high-end equipment production, astronautics and aeronautics, food, and biomedical industries.
Zhengzhou
September 4 | UCLG ASPAC Secretary General also visited Zhengzhou and attended the International Mayors Forum on Tourism convening 43 cities across 26 countries, as well as delegation from 59 Chinese tourism cities. In this occasion, Dr. Bernadia and Mayor He Xiong of Zhengzhou explored the possibility of hosting an e-commerce programme to be tailored to the needs of cities and local governments in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to empower individuals and communities in developing their e-commerce ventures from scratch. It is also expected to include a business incubator component, enhance participants’ knowledge and expertise in running successful e-commerce enterprises. This initiative promises to be a catalyst for economic growth and innovation across the region.
During her visit to China, the Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC had also a meeting with the Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Mr. Yan Dong in Dunhuang, to discuss the preparation for the 9th Congress of UCLG ASPAC.
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