On September 6, 2015, Dr. Jatin Modi, former President of UCLG-ASPAC, attended the 2nd Session of 2015 UCLG-ASPAC Executive Bureau Council Meeting and the Asia-Pacific Conference on “Local Government Voices toward Habitat III on a New Urban Agenda” in Wakatobi Regency, Indonesia.

During these meetings, Dr. Jatin Modi shared his personal experience on the final assessment and awarding ceremony of the 2014 Guangzhou Award. He also spoke highly of the creation of the Guangzhou Award, since it provided a unique platform for the encouragement of innovative urban governance. 

Dr. Jatin Modi pointed out that the final assessment to select the five winning cities was a tough decision to make since the criteria for winning the Guangzhou Award covered many different fields. Furthermore, the initiatives had to demonstrate successful practices by means of both creative thinking and replicability. Dr. Modi said, “The award serves as a great catalyst for many excellent projects in urban governance, youth education, and public transportation to name but a few.

Serving as one of the seven members in the jury, Dr. Modi has attended many Guangzhou award involved activities including the prestigious International Urban Innovation Seminar in November, 2014.