The APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016 was held in Ningbo, P.R.China on June 2, 2016
Under the theme “Urbanization and Inclusive Growth,” representatives including over 200 ministers, mayors, entrepreneurs and scholars from APEC member economies held policy dialogues and shared experience and information on developing urban infrastructure, advancing innovative city development, strengthening connectivity and improving city governance with a view to achieving people-oriented urbanization and inclusive growth.
Officials from the APEC member economies announced the adoption of the Ningbo Initiative which seeks region-wide partnerships to promote inclusive and sustainable urbanization policies.
To help achieve the Asia-Pacific Urbanization Partnership and realize the goal of common development, prosperity, and progress, the Ningbo Initiative puts forward the following proposed courses of action:
• Promoting inclusive and dynamic urban growth
• Building smart cities
• Developing green cities
• Encouraging urban regeneration and retrofit
• Driving innovative urban development
• Advocating for good urban governance
• Boosting APEC cooperation on sustainable urban development.
“Urbanization is a crucial driver for advancing towards modernization,” explained Xu Shaoshi, chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission at the opening ceremony. “It has become a cutting edge area of APEC cooperation.”
“APEC member economies are in different stages of urbanization, which provides diversity of demands and strong complementarity of advantages,” he continued. “By sharing experiences and best practices, APEC member economies will jointly seize new development opportunities and address challenges related to environment, resources and social governance brought by urbanization.”
Press-release at the official APEC web-site
Ningbo Initiative