Obor

Belt and Road Forum: Connectivity Discussed on High Level Forum

Bernadia I. Tjandradewi, Secretery General, UCLG-ASPAC, signing Letter of Intent with China International Cities Development Alliance (CICDA) during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China on May 14, 2017.

THE need of having connection among cities is getting more intense. Cities’ contribution to the global movement not only shows their active involvement in the issues of global importance today such as SDGs and the New Urban Agenda but also reflects the primal need of moving on to the next step of development. UCLG ASPAC has been continuously supporting and facilitating its members. Recently, UCLG ASPAC participated in the High Level Dialogue held during the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing (China) on May 14-15, 2017. BRF was attended by 29 world leaders and opened by President Xi Jin Ping.

Represented by the Secretary General, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, UCLG ASPAC showed its full support to galvanize international cooperation through revitalization of an ancient trade route, the Silk Road. UCLG has championed the task of fostering cooperation between local governments at global level.

Considering its proximity to the relevant constituencies, UCLG ASPAC used the occasion to sign cooperation with China International Cities Development Alliance (CICDA) on Urban Development Cooperation and unveiled the newly established committees: One Belt One Road Committee and 21st Century Maritime Cooperation Committee. The committees were initiated by the city of Huangzhou and Fuzhou, respectively Undertaking its role as knowledge hub of local governments in the Asia Pacific region, UCLG ASPAC supported the establishment of the Committees.

The respective Committees will set up the work plan in order to carry out its mission to form and expand partnership and collaboration under thematic areas.

The cooperation with CICDA is formed with collective recognition of the significance of strong ties between Chinese and foreign cities, enterprises, and institutions in order to achieve win-win cooperation. Both parties agreed to deepen substantial cooperation on urban development.

UCLG ASPAC has launched One Belt One Road magazine in December 2016 to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing among international communities along the new Silk Road. This publication covers development issues, people-to-people connectivity, leadership, valuable best practices, etc. in the Silk Route and beyond. To kindle the spirit of expanding international network and collaboration, all UCLG ASPAC members and partners are invited to subscribe to One Belt, One Road magazine. For special offer, contact obor.mag@gmail.com.