2016/SOM3/005 Agenda Item: 3.5 Summary of APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016 Purpose: Information Submitted by: China Third Senior Officials Meeting Lima, Peru 27-28 August 2016
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2015, at the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, President Xi Jinping announced that China would host the first APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum in 2016 to promote urbanization cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. On June 2-3, 2016, the APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016 took place in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. The Forum is the first large-scale high-level event under the APEC framework centering on urbanization. APEC economies conducted broad and in-depth discussions on topics related to urbanization cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. Member economies issued the APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016 Ningbo Initiative as the key deliverable. Member economies affirmed the importance of promoting the sound, sustainable and people-oriented urbanization among the Asia-Pacific economies, and commended the steady and positive progress in implementing the APEC Cooperation Initiative for Jointly Establishing an Asia-Pacific Urbanization Partnership which was endorsed by APEC Economic Leaders in Beijing in November 2014. Member economies also reaffirmed their commitment to expressed common resolve to further conduct dialogues and cooperation in eight key areas, including boosting inclusiveness and dynamic development of cities, improving urban infrastructure, building smart cities and green cities, encouraging urban regeneration and renewal, pushing forward urban innovation, promoting good city governance and cooperation in urban development. Required Action/Decision Points It is recommended that the Senior Officials: 1. Note the Summary of APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016
Summary of APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016 1. Overview In 2015, at the 23 rd APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, President Xi Jinping announced that China would host the first APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum in 2016 to promote urbanization cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. On June 2-3, 2016, the APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016 took place in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, hosted by the National Development and Reform Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organized by China Center for Urban Development and Ningbo Municipal People s Government, Zhejiang Province. The Forum is the first large-scale high-level event under the APEC framework centering on urbanization. Under the Forum theme of Urbanization and Inclusive Growth, ministerial officials and senior government representatives from APEC member economies, city mayors, entrepreneurs, scholars, and representatives from the media and international organizations gathered in Ningbo and conducted broad and in-depth discussions on topics related to urbanization cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. 2. Key Insights At the opening ceremony, Mr. Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China and Juan Carlos Capuñay, Ambassador of Peru to China each delivered a keynote speech on behalf of the Forum host and the host of APEC Economic Leaders Meeting 2016 respectively. Mr. Xu Shaoshi highlighted that urbanization as an important engine for modernization has become the frontier of cooperation among APEC member economies. The Forum, proposed by President Xi Jinping, creates a communication platform for regional urbanization cooperation among the APEC member economies in different stages of urbanization. All APEC member economies are expected to grasp this opportunity and establish an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial partnership in urbanization. As pointed out by Mr. Capuñay, the Forum has built a platform for multilateral cooperation and will give a boost to urbanization drive in the region. Peru recognizes urbanization as a crucial tool for promoting urban and economic development, improving people s life, and achieving connectivity through cooperative partnership. Mr. Hu Zucai, Vice Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission moderated the opening ceremony on which Li Qiang, Governor of Zhejiang Province delivered an opening address. At the APEC Ministerial Roundtable, vice ministerial officials and senior representatives of APEC
member economies exchanged ideas around such as the current development, opportunities, challenges and key areas of cooperation of urbanization in this region. Mr. Hu Zucai, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and moderator of the Roundtable, observed that the Asia Pacific region has the fastest growing urban population and the largest number of megacities in the world, and that APEC member economies differ in development stages. This offers an excellent opportunity for collaboration. Mr. Masaaki Kobayashi, Vice-Minister for Global Environment Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Japan outlined that Japan has achieved economic growth and urbanization by setting up specialized agencies and a policy system, and is currently helping developing countries realize low-carbon and sustainable development through international cooperation. Mr. Son Tae Rak, Deputy Minister for Territorial and Urban Development Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Republic of Korea remarked that the Republic of Korea will adopt internet and other high-tech solutions in urban development to address environmental protection, residential housing and traffic congestion towards a sustainable development. Ms. Phan Thi My Linh, Vice Minister of Ministry of Construction, Viet Nam introduced that Viet Nam has rolled out City Development Strategies, which outlines a blueprint for urban system, i.e., cities need to take into account the coordinated development of the entire region, the efficacy and limitation of city resources, as well as past experience and local characteristics. Mr. Jorge Heine, Ambassador of Chile to China noted that urban development requires not only transportation infrastructure, but also digital infrastructure to govern our city more effectively. Senior representatives from Russia, Singapore, Canada and Papua New Guinea, and Hong Kong, China also introduced their experience of urbanization. The delegates also had thematic dialogues over connectivity of Asia Pacific cities, sustainable urban development, and innovation during the urbanization process. Experience was shared and cooperation opportunities were explored in boosting urban infrastructure and public service facilities, building smart cities and green cities, urban regeneration and renewal, financing during urbanization and development of small- and medium-sized cites. 3. Deliverables and Consensus Member economies issued the APEC High-Level Urbanization Forum 2016 Ningbo Initiative as the key deliverable. At a joint media briefing during the Forum, representatives of China, Peru (as host of APEC Economic Leaders Meeting 2016) and the APEC Secretariat introduced the Initiative. In Ningbo Initiative member economies affirmed the importance of promoting the sound, sustainable and people-oriented urbanization among the Asia-Pacific economies, and commended the steady and positive progress in implementing the APEC Cooperation Initiative for Jointly Establishing an
Asia-Pacific Urbanization Partnership which was endorsed by APEC Economic Leaders in Beijing in November 2014. Member economies also reaffirmed their commitment to expressed common resolve to further conduct dialogues and cooperation in eight key areas, including boosting inclusiveness and dynamic development of cities, improving urban infrastructure, building smart cities and green cities, encouraging urban regeneration and renewal, pushing forward urban innovation, promoting good city governance and cooperation in urban development.