Zhang Guangning (third on the right) and other co-chairmen as well as officials are present at the closing ceremony for the 2nd UCLG World Congress on October 31st.

Guangzhou Mayor Zhang Guangning, was elected as one of the co-chairmen of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the largest international organization of local governments, on October 31st.

Mayor Zhang, recommended as the candidate from Asia and Pacific region, was the first Chinese mayor elected as leader of the organization.

Other co-chairmen include Mayor of Pairs, Mayor of Quito of Ecuador, Mayor of Johannesburg of South Africa and Mayor of Istanbul of Turkey were also elected in the 2nd UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments) World Congress which was held on October 29-31 at Jeju of South Korea.

“Be elected as the co-chairman of UCLG is not only my honor but also over ten million Guangzhou citizens' honor.” Mayor Zhang said after the election.

Zhang also said that he would work with other co-chairmen, promote UCLG's tradition of international cooperation and exchanges and fulfilled effectively tasks assigned by UCLG, seeking mutual prosperity for united cities and an even brighter future of the human kinds. He hoped that their work would further development of UCLG.

More than two thousand representatives from over one hundred countries attended the conference, sharing their viewpoints on twelve topics including environmental protection, urban management, local finance, cultural exchanges, disease prevention and issues concerning Olympic Games.

UCLG - United Cities and Local Governments

Since its creation in Barcelona in May 2004, UCLG, which represents the voices of local governments before the United Nations and the international community, has been pursuing a formal advisory role for local governments within the United Nations.

Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Shenyang, Chongqing and Wuhan as well as Hunan Province are members of the organization.

Editor: Yan