The 9th United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific Congress, with the theme of "Advancing Balanced Economic Development for Asia and the Pacific", kicked off in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province in the morning of November 14. Co-hosted by UCLG ASPAC Secretariat, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Yiwu Municipal People's Government, the event aims to build a platform for multilateral exchanges and cooperation among global cities and promote innovation achievements to benefit people of all countries more. 

H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the eighth UN Secretary-General and Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia, H.E. Lu Shan, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, H.E. Tri Rismaharini, Minister of Ministry of Social Affairs of Indonesia, H.E. Yan Dong, Vice President of CPAFFC; H. E. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, President of UCLG ASPAC; H.E. Dakila Carlo Cua, Governor of Quirino Province and president of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines; H.E. Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Center; H.E. Lee Hee-sup, Secretary-General of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat; Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewei, Secretary-General of UCLG ASPAC; H.E. Jiang Zhengui, Deputy Secretary-General of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province; Mr. Chen Yanqin, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province; Mr. Xing Zhihong, Mayor of Jinhua Municipal People's Government; Madam Zhang Yajie, Vice Chair of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Guangzhou Committee; Madam Cai Jin, Vice Chairman of China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, Asia-Pacific Regional Chair of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management, Mr. Kim Sook, Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation For a Better Future, Mr. An Zhongli, Secretary-General of China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, Mr. Wu Yabin, Director General of UNIDO ITPO Beijing, Madam Zong Linhong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Personnel of CPAFFC, Mr. Wang Jian, Party Secretary of CPC Yiwu Municipal Committee, and other Chinese and foreign guests attended or delivered speeches.  

In his speech, H.E. Ban Ki-moon said that he was very happy to come to Yiwu to attend this congress. He has always been no stranger to Yiwu , and he was deeply impressed by the abundant business opportunities and vitality in Yiwu. At present, global uncertainties continue to rise, bringing many challenges to mankind, so unity and cooperation remain crucial. UCLG is an important platform for multilateral exchanges and cooperation among world cities, and a bridge for enhancing friendship and cooperation among world cities. He believes that with the joint efforts of all parties, this congress will surely bring together the wisdom of all countries, gather consensus among all parties and promote Asia-Pacific regional cooperation. It focuses on promoting the coordinated development of Asia-Pacific economy, providing a platform for exchanging and learning from urban development experience, in a bid to further enhance cooperation and partnership and open a brand new, more sustainable and prosperous chapter for the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. 

H.E. Tri Rismaharini said in her speech that she visited Yiwu during her tenure as the mayor of Surabaya, Indonesia, and was deeply impressed by the development of Yiwu, the world's capital of small commodities. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises in Yiwu have great development potential, made important contributions to economic growth, and are of great value for guiding the Asia-Pacific and global economies. 

In his speech, H.E. Yan Dong said that promoting the construction of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future at the local level is an issue of the times related to the people's livelihood and well-being of Asia-Pacific countries, and it is also the common responsibility and mission of local governments. It is opportune and of great significance to gather in Yiwu to hold this congress, stick to the original aspiration of Asia-Pacific cooperation, focus on the urgent needs of the region, and discuss how to jointly promote the coordinated development of Asia-Pacific economy. We should continue to adhere to the coordinated green development of openness, inclusiveness, equality and mutual benefit, and innovation. 

H.E. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha said in his speech that he was very happy to have this event held in Yiwu, a vibrant emerging city and the largest wholesale market of small commodities in the world. He hopes to take this opportunity to further strengthen cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and promote the sustainable development of the region together. 

H.E. Shi Zhongjun said in his speech that this year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. There are four suggestions for further deepening cooperation: building an open and inclusive cooperation system, promoting high-level regional economic integration, expanding new areas of pragmatic cooperation, and enhancing friendship and trust among the people. Yiwu and other cities can give full play to their advantages as the world's largest distribution center for small commodities, develop high-quality commodity trade, and build stable and efficient production and supply chains. 

Mr. Wang Jian welcomed all the guests present, saying that Yiwu has a long history of exchanges witth the Asia-Pacific region, active people-to-people exchanges, close cooperation with friendship cities, and broad development space in the fields of economic and trade investment, science and technology, education, tourism and humanities. Currently, Yiwu is actively integrating into the "Belt and Road Initiative" and the development paradigm with domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other, vigorously promoting innovation, deepening reform, tackling key problems and opening up, and fostering a trade development pattern that coordinates domestic and foreign businesses, integrates online and offline resources, interconnects import and export, and unblocks domestic and foreign trade. Yiwu is willing to continuously deepen economic and trade exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with all parties, and always keep an open attitude. Friends from home and abroad are welcomed to purchase, exchange and study in Yiwu, and enterprises from all over the world are welcomed to explore this large markets and achieve win-win development. 

After the opening ceremony, the main forum was held, and many important guests from home and abroad gave keynote speeches on "The Power of Asia-Pacific Friendship Cities: Connection, Exchange and Cooperation", "The Future Growth Engine and Development of RCEP in East Asia" and "China's Innovation, Exploration and Practice in Regional Trade and Digital Logistics". Subsequently, a roundtable dialogue on economic and trade cooperation between cities and local governments in Asia-Pacific region was held, and six government leaders discussed with the theme of "Sharing Successful Cases or Projects in Economic and Trade Cooperation in Combination with the Reality of Cities". There are rich agenda, wonderful content and enthusiastic response on the site. 

Source: Yiwu City Convergence Media Center

Translation: 21CMCC