From September 24 to 26, the 10th United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) Congress was held in Goyang, South Korea. On September 26, during the UCLG ASPAC Council Meeting, Li Xiaoqin, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress, was re-elected as Co-President of UCLG ASPAC and President of the Standing Committee of Women in Local Government (2025-2027).
This re-election represents international recognition of Guangzhou's long-standing participation in global urban governance, particularly its efforts in promoting the causes of women and children and inclusive urban development.
Li stated that Guangzhou would earnestly fulfill its responsibilities as co-president city of UCLG ASPAC and president city of its Standing Committee of Women in Local Government. It would continue to leverage the platforms of the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award), the Global Mayors' Forum, and UCLG ASPAC and its Standing Committee of Women. By collaborating with the Secretariat and member cities, Guangzhou would strive to safeguard the health, rights, and interests of women and children.
Moving forward, Guangzhou plans to build upon its existing projects, such as green and healthy campuses, small playgrounds in hospitals, and hydroponic gardens. It will partner with more cities in countries along the Belt and Road to implement "small yet beautiful" livelihood projects in healthcare, agriculture, education, and other fields, fostering the continuous development of women and children's causes in the Asia-Pacific region.
During the conference, the Guangzhou delegation also participated in statutory meetings, including the meeting of the Standing Committee of Women under the congress framework. They shared Guangzhou's approaches and best practices in urban innovative governance, gender equality, and women's empowerment.
The delegation also met with key dignitaries, such as Dakila Carlo Cua, the President of UCLG ASPAC. They promoted the 7th Guangzhou Award and the 2026 Global Mayors' Forum, engaging in in-depth discussions on advancing gender equality, women's and children's health, cultural exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, and collaboration within the UCLG ASPAC framework.
At this congress, Dakila Carlo Cua, Governor of Quirino Province in the Philippines and President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), was re-elected as President of UCLG ASPAC. Li Xiaoqin, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress in China, Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City in South Korea, and Sam Broughton, President of Local Government New Zealand and Mayor of Selwyn District Council in New Zealand, were also elected as Co-Presidents.
UCLG ASPAC is the largest section among the seven regional sections of United Cities and Local Governments. Headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, it is primarily responsible for managing the affairs of United Cities and Local Governments in the Asian and Pacific regions. UCLG ASPAC has established connections with over 7,000 local governments and covers a population of 3.76 billion.
Editor | Tang Xinyi (intern), Li Lan (intern), Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
Photo | Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office
