# WCS 2016: Mayors and Leaders Pledged to make Cities Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2016-07-10T11:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/wcs-2016-mayors-and-leaders-pledged-to-make-cities-inclusive-resilient-and-sustainable
- **Topics:** Government & Policy, Sustainability & PropTech

## Featured rationale

The declaration signals stronger policy emphasis on resilient, liveable urban development, which may shape future planning, infrastructure investment and housing strategies in participating cities.

## AI summary

About 110 mayors and city leaders pledged at WCSMF 2016 to make cities safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable ahead of Habitat III.

## Original article

Declaration to be submitted at United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) 

Themed “Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Innovative Cities of Opportunity”, the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum (WCSMF) 2016 held today brought together about 110 mayors and city leaders, top executives of corporations and international organisations who participated actively at the Forum. They discussed how cities are addressing urban challenges with innovative solutions, and how governance processes and tools can be adopted to facilitate these innovations and developments to create opportunities for urban populations.

Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development, Singapore, and Chairman of the Forum, highlighted three key considerations in urban planning and governance for cities. They include the need for long-term city planning; the need for constant innovation and research and development and; the need to constantly engage different stakeholders and take decisive actions. 

The WCSMF 2016 is a key highlight at this year’s World Cities Summit (WCS), a biennial global platform for government and industry leaders to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated solutions, and forge high-level partnerships. Currently in its 7th edition, the WCSMF nurtures a global community of mayors and city leaders, to exchange ideas and best practices and explore solutions to address common challenges. 

Discussions at the Forum centred on the persistent urban problems cities face which require complex, integrated solutions. The solutions discussed looked at building resilience against extreme weather, putting liveability at the heart of urbanisation, engaging youths in new solutions using technology, coordinating different levels of city plans, and enhancing capacity building for city development. 

Also at WCSMF this year, the discussions from the World Cities Summit Young Leaders Symposium [1] were summarised and presented. Held this morning, the Symposium with 56 young leaders from 38 cities generated active discussions on innovative solutions and governance. Gabe Klein, Entrepreneur at Cityfi & Fontinalis Partners LLC, presented the Young Leaders’ insights into urbanisation’s long-standing challenges. Challenges surfaced included the ageing of infrastructure and ageing populations. They also discussed insights into urban management and effective governance. 

This year, mayors and city leaders pledged their support through a declaration, to make cities safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. They have identified areas of action for cities as contributions to the upcoming United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) held in October 2016, and the New Urban Agenda [2] . Please refer to Annex A for details on the Declaration. 

WCS Mayors Forum 2017

Minister Lawrence Wong also announced that next year’s WCSMF will be held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. The city was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize in 2014 for overcoming difficulties through several stages of transformation to achieve remarkable economic prosperity, and preserving its celebrated cultural and historic heritage concurrently. Mr Qu Futian, Mayor of Suzhou extended a warm welcome to the mayors and city leaders, on behalf of the city and people of Suzhou, to attend the 2017 Mayors Forum.

[1] The World Cities Summit Young Leaders is a select group of change-makers from diverse sectors who shape the global urban agenda at the annual World Cities Summit Young Leaders Symposium – the 3rd edition this year.

[2] The New Urban Agenda is an outcome document that will be adopted at the Habitat III Conference in October 2016.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 2016世界城市峰会：市长与领袖承诺建设包容、韧性和可持续的城市

宣言将提交联合国住房和可持续城市发展会议（人居三）

以“宜居与可持续城市：机遇之创新城市”为主题的2016年世界城市峰会市长论坛（WCSMF）于今日举行，约110位市长及城市领袖、企业高管和国际组织代表积极参与。他们讨论了城市如何以创新方案应对城市挑战，以及如何采用治理流程与工具推动这些创新与发展，为城市人口创造机遇。

新加坡国家发展部部长兼论坛主席黄循财先生强调了城市规划与治理的三项关键考量。包括需要长期城市规划；需要持续创新与研发；以及需要持续与各方利益相关者沟通并采取果断行动。

WCSMF 2016是本届世界城市峰会（WCS）的重要亮点。世界城市峰会是两年一度的全球平台，供政府与业界领袖应对宜居与可持续城市挑战、分享综合解决方案并建立高层伙伴关系。目前已进入第7届的WCSMF，培育由市长与城市领袖组成的全球社群，交流理念与最佳实践，并探索应对共同挑战的解决方案。

论坛讨论聚焦城市持续面临、需要复杂综合解决方案的城市问题。所讨论的方案涵盖建设抵御极端天气的韧性、将宜居性置于城市化核心、以科技吸引青年参与新方案、协调不同层级的城市规划，以及加强城市发展能力建设。

本届WCSMF还汇总并呈报了世界城市峰会青年领袖研讨会[1]的讨论成果。该研讨会于今早举行，来自38个城市的56位青年领袖就创新解决方案与治理展开积极讨论。Cityfi与Fontinalis Partners LLC企业家Gabe Klein介绍了青年领袖对城市化长期挑战的见解。提出的挑战包括基础设施老化与人口老龄化。他们也讨论了城市管理与有效治理方面的见解。

今年，市长与城市领袖通过一份宣言承诺，致力于建设安全、包容、韧性且可持续的城市。他们已确定城市行动领域，作为对2016年10月即将举行的联合国住房和可持续城市发展会议（人居三）以及《新城市议程》[2]的贡献。有关宣言详情，请参阅附件A。

2017年世界城市峰会市长论坛

黄循财部长还宣布，明年的WCSMF将在中国江苏省苏州市举行。该市因历经多个转型阶段克服困难、实现显著经济繁荣，同时保存其闻名的文化与历史遗产，于2014年获颁李光耀世界城市奖。苏州市市长曲福田代表苏州市及市民，向各位市长与城市领袖发出热烈欢迎，邀请他们出席2017年市长论坛。

[1] 世界城市峰会青年领袖是来自多元领域的精选变革者群体，他们在年度世界城市峰会青年领袖研讨会——今年为第3届——上塑造全球城市议程。

[2] 《新城市议程》是将于2016年10月在人居三会议上通过的成果文件。