On June 5, 2024, the 10th 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee Meeting and the 2024 Council Meeting was successfully held in North Minahasa County, Indonesia. Mr. Dakila Carlo Cua, President of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (hereinafter referred to as the "UCLG ASPAC"), Governor of Quirino Province of the Philippines, and President of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Mr. Yan Dong, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, attended the event and delivered a speech. Mr. Du Weiguang, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government and Deputy Secretary General of the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, presided over the meeting. More than 30 representatives from countries and organizations including Indonesia, South Korea, Nepal, the Philippines, Malaysia, and China attended the meeting.

 

 

 Vice President Yan Dong said that the committee is an important platform for exchanges and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. China and its local governments are willing to share experiences in innovation and cooperation in promoting sustainable development and build a shared sustainable future with the international community. 

 

 

 

Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, expressed her appreciation to  the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee for organizing the meeting and sharing experiences in urban sustainable development. She hopes that through the dialogue mechanism and communication channels of the Committee, the knowledge sharing, exchanges and cooperation among local governments in the Asia-Pacific region can be further strengthened. 

 

 

Mr. Du Weiguang, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government and Deputy Secretary General of the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, briefed on the latest progress and future work plan of the Committee on behalf of the Secretariat. He also invited representatives to attend the  Sustainable Marine Development Forum, the International Workshop on Juncao Technology, the Third Silk Road International Youth Photography and Short Video Competition, etc. 

Mr. Li Wei, Deputy Director of Fuzhou Policy Research Office, introduced Fuzhou's experience in building a global sustainable city, and shared Fuzhou's profound historical heritage, rich cultural accumulation, open and inclusive market environment, vibrant economic activities, and livable urban environment. Ms. Ye Su, Deputy Director of the Fuzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, promoted Fuzhou's cultural and tourism resources, and introduced the natural scenery of Fuzhou' rivers and seas, the historical cultural relics, and the unique architectural style. Mr. Katamso, Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency of the West Tanjung Jabung of Indonesia, spoke on behalf of the Mayor Anwar Sadat and introduced the Regent's experience in mangrove protection and development. 

 

 

During the free discussion,  Mr. Dhungana, Co-President of UCLG ASPAC, President of Municipal Association of Nepal, spoke highly of the experience sharing of Fuzhou representatives and hoped to promote practical cooperation in the field of  sustainable marine development with the Committee. Member representatives from China and abroad expressed thankfulness to Fuzhou representatives for sharing their experience and expressed their willingness to conduct more exchanges with the Committee. 

 

 

Finally, President Dakila Carlo Cua gave a closing speech. He said that the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee is an important platform for exchanges and cooperation between local governments and coastal cities. He thanked the Committee for providing good examples for sustainable urban development and hoped that the Committee would continue to innovate and promote cooperation in the future. 

 

 

The 2024 Council Meeting approved the list of new members, new associate members and new advisers of the Committee since 2023 and updated the changes of the Secretary General. 

 

 

 

Source: 21CMCC