SCI: Programs and Services - Global Mayors Forum

Open Letter to Mayors from Patrick Madden, President and CEO of Sister Cities International

2009 GMF Brochure (10/29/08) (pdf)

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Partners

About the Global Mayors Forum
The goal of the Global Mayors Forum (GMF) is to have mayors from six continents learn from one another and collaborate to establish viable models for establishing "sustainable cities" while gaining exposure to effective policies, case studies, business opportunities, and the most recent advancements in sustainable technologies.

The theme of the inaugural Global Mayors Forum is High Growth Cities - Meeting the Challenges for Sustainability. The Forum will address various aspects of urban sustainability including environmental protection, heritage protection, education, climate change, infrastructure, tourism, new models of risk investment, disaster mitigation and recovery, and urban design, among others. Most importantly, it is a forum for improving communication and building ties between Chinese and international cities.

We expect approximately 1,000 attendees including 200 mayors from China and 200 mayors from around the globe, as well as leaders from research institutes, finance and investment institutions, construction and urban development entrepreneurs, international urban organizations, NGOs, the media, and international organizations, such as the United Nations.

The focus of the GMF, to provide roadmap for sustainable development in cities, has led to a program that approaches issues of particular interest to urban planners and public policy officials. Topics include:

Establishing a Long-Term Vision for Sustainability

The Economic and Social Well Being of Cities

Sustainable Production and Consumption, Environmental Technologies, and Demand Management

Expanding and Enabling Cooperative Networks
Biodiversity and Protection of Ecosystems- The Economic Value of Nature
Ecological Footprint- Demand Side Management
Empowering People and Fostering Participation
Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems- Resiliency and Adaptation
Building on the Cultural Identity of Cities
Accountability, Transparency, and Good Governance

Panels will be composed of mayors from six continents whose cities have shown leadership in these fields. Expected moderators include officials from the Asia Development Bank, the Ecological Footprint Network, United Cities and Local Governments, UNESCO, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and UNEP's Technology Centre, among others.

In addition to panel sessions addressing topics within the field of urban sustainable development, the GMF includes:

Special Mayors Sessions

Dialogue Sessions and Roundtables

World Class Exhibition Fair

City Tours of Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Integrating these strategies into development and urban design will allow city officials and stakeholders to:

Understand the environmental, economic and equity impacts of embedded and operational energy needs of urban infrastructure systems and urbanization

Identify local environmental, economic, and equity benefits, especially for the private sector

Develop effective decision support tools and methods for urban energy planning

Evaluate planning options and practices

In order to make this possible the GMF is drawing upon the expertise of its organizing partners.

Global Mayors Forum Council
The International Mayors Communication Centre (IMCC) is an international organization based in Kong and Shenzhen, China focused on intercity communication, city operations, capital operations, creative conferencing, media relationship management, and high-end training.
Web Site

The International Centre for Sustainable Cities (ICSC) is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, Canada which catalyzes action on urban sustainability in cities around the world, through practical demonstration projects, peer learning networks, affiliations, and high profile events.
Web Site

Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 700 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's membership.
Web Site

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WCSD) is a global association of companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development. The Council, headquartered in Switzerland, provides a platform for companies to explore sustainable development, share knowledge, experiences and best practices, and to advocate business positions on these issues in a variety of forums, working with governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations. Members are drawn from more than 35 countries and 20 major industrial sectors. Web Site

Open Letter to Mayors from Patrick Madden, President and CEO of Sister Cities International

Schedule-at-a-Glance