Fuzhou mayors from many countries talk about promoting urban renewal with high quality

China News Service, Fuzhou, November 1 (Reporter Yan Xu) The Mayors Forum on High-quality Urban Development in the New Era was held in Fuzhou on November 1. As the main forum for the global home event of World Cities Day 2026, the forum attracted more than 100 city mayors, representatives of international organizations, experts and scholars at home and abroad to participate.

Rosbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, said that China's experience in improving the living environment, promoting urban renewal, and building green and smart cities has provided valuable reference for the international community. He looks forward to working with Chinese and global partners to transform innovative results and successful practices from various places into knowledge, tools and solutions to build inclusive, livable, resilient and sustainable cities.

This forum aims to build a high-end platform for high-level dialogue and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cities. Mayors from many countries held in-depth dialogues and discussions around the theme of "Promoting Urban Renewal with High Quality" to jointly explore the path to high-quality urban development.

Fuzhou City, China is the first winning city of the Global Sustainable City Award (Shanghai Award). Fuzhou Mayor Wu Xiande said that Fuzhou vigorously coordinates the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage and urban renewal, and strives to better integrate cultural heritage into modern life; it adheres to a people-oriented approach to make the city more livable.

Johannes Pressl, Chairman of the Austrian Association of Cities and Mayor of Aldag, is particularly interested in digital technologies, smart city solutions and the practical application of innovations. “I hope to learn from your experience and transform technological innovation into practical solutions that serve local communities.” Johannes said.

Felipe Muñoz, Vice Chairman of the Association of Chilean Municipalities and Mayor of Padre Hutado, believes that urban renewal is a comprehensive improvement of the living conditions of residents in an area. Municipalities should strengthen cooperation, share technology and capabilities, and actively participate in the cooperation with various institutions and communities.

At the forum, the "China Urban Development Report (2025/2026)" was released; the China Mayors Association signed cooperation memorandums of understanding with the Austrian Cities Association, the Chilean Municipal Association, and the Ethiopian Cities Association respectively.