Asian Network of Major Cities 21

We, the representatives of Bangkok Metropolis, Beijing, National Capital Territory of Delhi, Capital City ofHanoi, Capital City of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metropolitan Manila, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo Metropolishave participated in theThird Plenary Meeting of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21), held in Hanoi, the Capital City of Vietnam from November 18 to 20, 2003. We have openly and friendly conducted discussions concerning the Joint Projects of ANMC21, the common issues as well as problems faced by Asian major cities.

We express our sincere gratitude to the Capital City of Hanoi, which, as the Host City, has brought this Third Plenary Meeting to a successful conclusion.

Based on mutual understanding and respect, and for the common prosperity and development of ANMC21 member cities, we hereby declare the following:

1. In order that Asia becomes more and more developed and plays an important role in the international arena in the 21st century, the ANMC21 was established in 2001 with the aim that: we major cities, the brains and the hearts of Asia, would strengthen our multi-faceted ties and collaboration in such social, economic and cultural areas through working together on Joint Projects. After two years since the foundation of the ANMC21 and the implementation of its joint projects, such as promotion of development of an Asia made small to medium-sized jet passenger plane, exchange of arts and culture, promotion of tourism, information exchange and training on urban issues, gender issues, and exchanges of experience and know-how regarding crisis management, we have achieved positive results. The cooperative relations among member cities have been expanded and developed.

2. However, Asian major cities still face various problems in the meantime. In this Plenary Meeting, we have focused on discussing “Globalization and its effect on Asian economies”, which is one particular issue and common concern to all member cities, both positive and negative aspects. Dialogues and discussions were held to seek effective solutions to bring into full play the positive aspects and minimize the impact of the negative ones of globalization on Asian economies. We have reached a common understanding that we will continue to develop our cities in such a positive way, through developing our own internal strength and cooperation with one another, significantly contributing to the Asian development process.

3. Regarding the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), though it has been controlled, its impacts on the economies of Asian cities still remains severe. Member cities of the ANMC21 have discussed and exchanged experiences concerning SARS prevention and socio-economic reforms in the post-SARS period to set up a comprehensive crisis management system in the fields of natural disaster, epidemic, terrorism, etc. We have confirmed a common acknowledgement that the collaboration and cooperation of all levels of players beyond the national level, such as cities, citizens and organizations, is needed to prevent recurrences and the fresh outbreak of SARS. We have confirmed that we shall continue to strengthen ties among the member cities of ANMC21 and take initiatives in promoting comprehensive crisis management including immediate notification to all the other member cities of any outbreak.

4. ANMC21 is an action-oriented network. We reaffirm that we shall make steady progress in implementing 17 Joint Projects outlined in the Annexure.

5. The Fourth Plenary Meeting of the ANMC21 shall be held in Capital City of Jakarta at an appropriate date in 2004.