The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) World Council took place virtually in Guangzhou on November 12. Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres and Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Liu Qibao sent congratulation videos. President of UCLG Mohamed Boudra, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Lin Songtian, and mayor of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality Wen Guohui made speeches respectively. The Beijing Foreign Affairs Office attended the meeting on behalf of Beijing.

Liu Qibao said that UCLG and local governments have made important contributions in promoting international cooperation against the COVID-19, boosting economic recovery and development, and improving global governance, which demonstrated strong leadership. China will follow the new development philosophy, foster a new development paradigm, and pursue high-quality development by staying committed to deepening reform and opening wider to the world. China stands ready to share with other countries the new opportunities presented by development, pursue common development, make new and greater contributions to the world’s sustainable development with its own high-quality development.

Approximately 300 world city and local government leaders from 48 countries attended the meeting and discussed around the theme of “the Role of the International Municipal and Regional Movement in COVID Times”.