On November 30, the 2020 Metropolis World Congress was held virtually. Approximately 150 representatives of member cities and relevant organizations participated in the conference, including Lin Songtian, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Wen Guohui, Mayor of Guangzhou, and Michael Müller, former President of the World Association of the Major Metropolis (Metropolis) and Governing Mayor of Berlin. The Beijing Foreign Affairs Office attended the congress on behalf of Beijing.

The congress reviewed and approved the constitution of the Metropolis, the amendment to the rules of procedure, and the three-year work plan and budget. Besides, it elected the new decision-making body, and determined Guangzhou and Bogota to be co-chair cities (each serving a 1.5-year term).

The World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis) was founded in 1985, with large cities and inter-city organizations as its members. It is now the metropolitan branch of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and operates independently. Beijing joined the UCLG in 2006, becoming a member of the Metropolis.