Between November 14 and 17, the 2012 Metropolis Board of Directors Meeting was convened in Guangzhou. Attending the meeting were some 100 representatives from 45 cities of 33 countries and regions. Apart from seven regular meetings, a variety of open forums, seminars and promotion events were also held, including Plenary Session on Metropolitan Development and Innovation, a project promotion event of the Metropolis and a promotion event for the “Creative City” Project. Urban administrators and experts in various fields will be invited to this series of events for an in-depth exchange of views on urban innovation, with the hope that creative solutions and ideas will be solicited to advance the global trend of urbanization. Bureau of Science and Information Technology of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Urban-Rural Construction, Guangzhou Municipal Communication Committee and Guangzhou Environmental Protection Bureau and Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences sent representatives to the Plenary Session on Metropolitan Development and Innovation, a project promotion event of the Metropolis and the promotion event for the “Creative City” Project.

On the morning of November 17, Chen Jianhua attended the board of directors meeting and addressed the attendees. Kadir Topba, president of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

On behalf of the People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality and the 16 million Guangzhou residents, Chen Jianhua extended his warmest welcome to all of the distinguished guests present at the Metropolis Board of Directors Meeting and expressed his heartfelt thanks to all of the friends who had long rendered support to Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation. He said that twelve years had passed since 2000 when Guangzhou held the Metropolis Board of Directors Meeting for the first time. This year, Guangzhou not only held the Metropolis Board of Directors Meeting again but also cooperated with the Metropolis in co-hosting Guangzhou International Urban Innovation Conference and organizing the series of activities of Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award). Such cooperation, as Mayor Chen indicated, is a testimony to the time-tested friendship between Guangzhou and the Metropolis and to the recognition of Guangzhou by the Metropolis. Mayor Chen concluded, “Looking into the future, we will, as always, endeavor to make new contribution to the sustainable development of cities around the world by strengthening exchange and cooperation and sharing experience and achievements.”   

Chen Jianhua said, “Many of the propositions and initiatives to be deliberated today represent the state-of-the-art development concepts of global cities. Guangzhou will conscientiously learn from these examples and draw strengths from them. In the meantime, Guangzhou will vigorously support all initiatives of this meeting and fulfill its responsibilities and duties as a member city of the board of directors.” Mayor Chen wished the meeting a complete success. 

In his address, Kadir Topba, president of the UCLG and mayor of Istanbul pointed out that global cities played a crucial role in advancing the progress and peaceful development of the world civilization. Under the meticulous cooperation between the UCLG and the Metropolis, the two international organizations shouldered their due responsibilities and fulfilled their duties in tackling whatever problems and challenges that plagued the development and innovation of cities around the world. President Kadir Topba expressed his hope that the meeting would give a voice for every member city of the Metropolis, conduct discussions on longer-term cooperation objectives and further play out the role of local governments, thus contributing to the betterment of the well-being of people everywhere. 

The meeting adopted the 2011 resolution of the board of directors and the membership applications of new cities. The meeting also deliberated the propositions and initiatives submitted by member cities of the board.