World Cities Day Launched in Shanghai

Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong, UN Under-Secretary-General Wu Hongbo, Chinese Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Qi Ji and UN-Habitat Deputy Director Aisa Kirabo Kacyira jointly launched the World Cities Day last Friday at the city`s World Expo Center.

As the host of World Expo 2010 Shanghai, China proposed the World Cities Day with support from the UN-Habitat and the International Exhibitions Bureau. The United Nations General Assembly last year endorsed the plan and designated October 31 as the World Cities Day.

The purpose of this holiday is to promote international cooperation as countries are tackling challenges in urbanization and to ensure sustainable urban development around the world.

Both Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sent congratulatory letters to event participants in Shanghai.

Six forums will be held in the afternoon as experts from China and abroad discuss opportunities and challenges in urban development.