The World Cities Day

Mr. Wang Jinzhen,

Chief delegate of China to BIE

Vice Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade

　　On December 6, 2013 United Nations adopts a resolution, designating October 31 as the World City day (WCD),starting in 2014. This, resulted from common efforts of the Chinese government, Bureau of International Exposition (BIE) and the related UN organizations, will undoubtedly promote the sustainable world city development, thus making the world better.

　　Shanghai World Expo 2010, China with the theme Better City, Better Life, was successfully held on May 1 - October 31, 2010, thanks to the joint efforts and common wisdom of China, BIE and the international community. This is a world event with the participation of 190 countries, 56international organizations, 80 world's cities of case study in the fields of energy saving or environment protection, a dozen corporate pavilions and 73 million people of the world, discussing on, sharing experience in and exploring cooperation on sustainable world city development. Never in history an expo was exclusively devoted to such a big topic and no time in history was mature than the 21 century to study this issue.

　　Twenty-first century will be a very important one for human society development. In city development, developed countries after over hundred-year progress, have come across issues of energy-saving, reduction of CO2 emission and eco-development, while developing ones with limited experience and resources, are under pressure of being engaged in city development in a relatively fast speed. Therefore healthier and sustainable city development is the requirement of people and time.

　　China is basically an agricultural country and its urbanization process was expedited after opening and registered great progress. From 1978 to 2011, urban citizens raised from 172 million to 690 million, thus elevating urbanization rate from 17.92 percent to 51.27 percent. By every standard, this is a huge progress, making Chinese citizens richer, their life more enjoyable and connecting to the world. However behind these progresses there still exist many contradictions and problems which will be solved by the Chinese people first and foremost and through international cooperation.

　　Under these circumstances, Shanghai World Expo 2010 timely held, exhibited and discussed some imminent issues facing mankind in sustainable city development by sharing experience, new concepts, new ideas, new achievements, new culture and new invention. Shanghai World Expo 2010 has begun its journey to sound and ecological direction in sustainable world city development, which will surely contribute to the world prosperity. 

　　With this background in mind, the Shanghai Declaration issued on October 31, 2010 by the Chinese government, UN and BIE at the closing day of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, calling for the establishment of the World City Day. In the following three years, all related parties made joint efforts for the realization of the aim. At the 151st BIE General Assembly in June 2011, the Chinese delegation made the proposal for establishing the WCD that won universal approval by all BIE member states. It is the first such kind of UN resolution initiated by BIE together with others that came into being and it is the contribution by BIE to the sustainable world city development.

　　May the World City Day on October 31, contribute to the sustainable and ecological development of world cities.