Asian Network of Major Cities 21
| ■Results of the Meeting | |
| ■November 20 (Thu) | |
| --Opening Ceremony-- - Welcome Address (Dato’ Ab. Hakim bin Borhan, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur) < Outline of address by Mayor of Kuala Lumpur> “To unlock Asia’s potential and enhance Asia’s presence in the world, Asian major cities must work to make this network even better, while simultaneously cooperating through joint activities to solve urban problems and strengthen economic competitiveness. This issue has become even more critical during the current economic crisis, and I believe city mayors or governors and working-level individuals can address this topic by working together through this network. As it pursues efforts to further improve urban management in each member city through the continued sharing of ideas and experience, I look forward to ANMC21 becoming a powerful base.” - Address (Mr. Shintaro ISHIHARA, Governor of Tokyo) - Opening Declaration (Dato’Sri Zulhasnan Rafique, Minister of Federal Territories, Malaysia) < Outline of address by Minister of Federal Territories, Malaysia > “In each city, movements of people as well as trade and services are increasing significantly as various barriers fall through the development of transportation and means of communication. The roles our cities play are vast, ranging from finance and production activities to services and communications. In the 21st century, the concentration of populations in cities will accelerate further. Even under such circumstances, we must strive to create attractive cities, by working to improve the lives of city residents and protect the environment, and by enhancing urban creativity by promoting investment from other countries through the concentration of knowledgeable and skilled human resources. The purpose of this network is to enable all cities to cooperate and search for acceptable solutions overcoming differences between societies, culture and values, to myriad problems, including environmental concerns. I hope we will strive for successful results from our activities by strengthening our joint activities, and working in ways that will increase participation by other member cities as well. The sharing of mutual experiences and knowledge by each Asian city will lead to improved quality of life for urban residents.” |
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| --Implementation Reports of the Joint Projects-- - Implementation reports were presented on the following joint projects Promotion of Development of a small to medium-sized Jet Passenger Plane (Presentation - Tokyo) - Approximately 100 individuals from five Asian countries participated in the 7th Working Level Meeting convened in Bangalore, India in October 2008, a new record. In addition to introducing the development status of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), which is expected to be Japan’s first domestically produced jetliner, conference attendees were able to share their recognition of the importance of Asian cooperation for passenger plane development and manufacturing. Urban and Global Environment Problems (Presentation - Tokyo) - The “Asian Workshop on Energy and Environmental Technologies”, a? working-level meeting concerning environmental technologies, was held in February 2008. Various reports were given at the meeting concerning each city’s respective global warming countermeasures, energy conservation technology and energy-saving measures and the development activities of international cooperation organizations. Attendees also participated in an inspection tour of energy conservation and energy re-use facilities in Tokyo, where they had opportunities to hear from individuals at each site. - Tokyo reported the details and significance of its latest measure for controlling global warming, the “Mandatory cap-and-trade scheme to reduce CO2 emission from large office buildings and factories”. Network for Crisis Management (Presentation - Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur) - At the comprehensive disaster-preparedness drill implemented in Tokyo in August 2008, rescue teams from Seoul and Taipei participated and conducted joint rescue training drills. Also, rescue techniques training is being implemented aimed at training and strengthening the fire fighting and rescue leaders in Asia from fiscal 2008. Training and lectures on rescue techniques were given by the trainees in Tokyo, and following that, members of the Tokyo will visit participating cities to give technical guidance in accordance with the situation of local areas. - The 6th Asian Crisis Management Conference was convened in Kuala Lumpur in October 2008, with “Disaster Risk Management in Integration with Sustainable Development” as the theme. Examples of the advanced efforts in each city, including efforts to share disaster information in Malaysia and monitoring methods used in Singapore when hazardous substances are transported, were specifically reported and generated a high level of interest from the participating cities. Staff Capacity Enhancement Program (Presentation - Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur) - Among the 11 training courses, the activity status of “Business Management and Pipeline Technology of Waterworks” and “Training of Sewerage Maintenance and Management Engineers”, programs for learning Tokyo’s technologies for implementing various measures aimed at the supply of safe, good-tasting water and the effective use of recycled water, and the “Administrative Management Workshop” aimed at creating human networks through the experience of studying effective administrative management and the issues common to large cities, were introduced from Tokyo. - From Kuala Lumpur, the purpose of training and methodologies concerning “Training for Urban Development and Management” were introduced, and the contents of training conducted in 2008 on the respective themes “Integrated Urban Planning for Sustainable Urban Management”, “Solid Waste Management in Asia Pacific Region” and “Sustainable Urban Transport in Asia and the Pacific Region” were reported. “Welcome to Asia” Campaign (Presentation - Tokyo) - The 7th Council for Promotion of Tourism in Asia was convened in Hanoi in October 2008. Participants confirmed the status of joint action efforts, and exchanged opinions concerning common issues regarding tourism promotion, for attracting travelers from Europe, the U.S., Oceania and Asia. Furthermore, as new measures aimed at improving member city hospitality, participants decided to publish links to travel information recommended by each city on the portal site, and to work on sharing information concerning the cities’ various efforts. ICT Initiatives for Urban Development (Presentation - Taipei) - The conclusion of a memorandum on mutual cooperation exchanged between Taipei and Seoul concerning the construction of e-governments and digital cities, the future activity schedule, a summary of the “UI-Taipei” Initiative and items achieved to-date for action objectives, such as sharing experience and best examples, were reported. Asian Performing Arts Festival (Presentation - Seoul) - The 6th Asian Performing Arts Festival on the theme “Harmonization and Exchange through Asian Cultural Arts ‘Soul of Asia’” was held in Seoul in October 2008, providing a venue for communications through the culture and performing arts of peoples in Asian cities. In addition to Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo, this year Bangkok was a special participant. Stage performances plus outdoor performances, booth exhibitions and the organizing committee were held simultaneously, with Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur also participating in the organizing committee. Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia (Presentation - Tokyo and Bangkok) - The 4th Conference on Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia was convened in Bangkok, where joint survey research concerning measures against tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza and new strains of influenza was studied, and a decision was made to begin an “Investigation into Actual Tuberculosis Conditions in Each City” as the initial effort. In addition, as an HIV/AIDS countermeasure a decision was made to work jointly on education for young people, to be followed up by sharing the experiences and information of each city concerning all communicable diseases. Reports on the following Joint Projects were also made in the Joint Projects Report: Women's Participation in Society Asia Distance Learning Project Youth-to-Youth Program -Creating Enterprising Originals |
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| --Adoption of the Mid-Term Plan-- A medium term plan (Mid-Term Plan) for each joint project activity, aimed at steady implementation of activities based on clarification of the objectives during the period and annual plan, was newly adopted. The plan period was set at three years (fiscal 2008 through fiscal 2010), with an evaluation to be implemented at Plenary Meeting in 2011 after the plan ends and the results to be reflected in the next term plan. In conjunction with formulation of this plan, as a result of studying the future efforts for each joint project activity, it was decided that the “Asia Distance Learning Project” will be made to converge as a joint project activity, for promoting development towards freer efforts among Asian universities from the efforts among the cities. |
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| --Adoption of New Joint Project-- A proposal was submitted from Manila for a “Development of Affordable, Safe and Fast Mass Housing Technology Project”, and was adopted as a new joint project based on the participation declaration of Jakarta. |
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| --Policy Dialogue: "Flood Control Measures"-- The Keynote Report concerning “Flood Mitigation Measures” was presented by Kuala Lumpur. This was followed by respective presentations from Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore and Tokyo, after which opinions were exchanged. Keynote Report * Kuala Lumpur “Flood Mitigation by City Hall Kuala Lumpur” Kuala Lumpur reported how it allocates about 10% of its city development budget to flood mitigation measures, and introduced its measures to reduce surface water, which has increased because of rapid development, by means such as construction of underground reservoirs and permeable pavements in addition to the expansion of drainage trunk lines and preparation of flood maps as mitigation measures. “Flood Control Measures in Kuala Lumpur by Department of Irrigation and Drainage” Introduced measures such as construction of detour channels and reservoirs, catchment area controls and preparation of a Malaysia Localized Torrential Rain Manual. Also provided an introduction to construction of the SMART tunnel, which is aimed at easing flooding as well as alleviating traffic congestion, and introduced the post-construction elimination of fluvial flooding as an actual result. Presentation * Bangkok “Flood Protection System in Bangkok” Located in a region where much of the land is below sea level, Bangkok introduced its measures such as enclosure of land including low-lying areas with levees, and a land reclamation system involving controlling water levels in canals inside the levees and constructing pumping stations transport run-off to rivers. * Jakarta “Jakarta Flood Control Measures” In addition to construction of canals and removal of wastewater caused by land reclamation, introduced measures such as ground subsidence prevention, small lake and reservoir construction and maintenance management and land use controls based on urban planning, which are predicated on the assumption that flooding and high water damage are being caused by the spread of densely populated land, ground subsidence and increased precipitation. * Manila Introduced measures such as large-scale pumping stations, remote monitoring of precipitation and water levels, flood mitigation channels and consolidation of drainage systems, and reported how it has decreased flooding areas in the Manila metropolitan area from 20% (2002) to 0.63% (2009) as a result of these measures. * Singapore “Flood Control and Prevention in Singapore” Reported on the reduction of areas subject to frequent flood occurrence through construction and improvement of drainage infrastructure, and introduced its preparation of an integrated flood control plan, which includes performing flood control activities, in cooperation with the development plan. Also introduced how pollution and dumping of waste materials can be prevented and water quality improved when citizens can enjoy water amenity areas, and introduced the installation of water amenity spaces to existing reservoirs and channels and water amenity program as measures that have achieved harmony between water and the urban landscape. * Tokyo Remarks were given by Governor Ishihara. A summary is provided below. Area-localized torrential rains are occurring frequently and urban-type flood damage has become a problem as a result of the effects of climate change, and anti-flood measures are needed for underground shopping areas in particular. As countermeasures, Tokyo is putting efforts not only into hard aspects but also into soft aspects such as construction of a shelter system and information dissemination system for times when disaster occurs. Governor Ishihara stated that Tokyo has summarized the joint activities at the “C40 Tokyo Conference on Climate Change” convened in Tokyo in October 2008 and will post information on leading examples of flood countermeasures on Tokyo’s homepage in the future, and expressed his hope that countries will refer to the information. He also stated his hope that each city will provide information. |
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| --Special Report: "Promotion of Sports"-- Respective presentations were given from Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo. * Jakarta “The Sports Events in Jakarta 2009” Sports events in Jakarta, such as the Jakarta International 10K-2009 and Enjoy Jakarta Anniversary Basketball Tournament 2009, were introduced. * Seoul “Seoul’s Sports Marketing & Sports Promotion Policies” Introduced its sports measures to stimulate tourism, sports infrastructure construction for regional development and various efforts to boost citizens’ sports. * Singapore “Sports Promotion in Singapore” Introduced “Singapore 2010 Vision”, and conducted PR for the Youth Olympic Games to be held in 2010. * Taipei “Taipei’s Sports Policy : Sports for All” Introduced efforts such as construction of sports infrastructure, incorporation of swimming classes into its school curriculum and promotion of road running, and conducted PR for the Deaflympics to be held in 2009. * Tokyo “Sport Tokyo for All” Introduced a summary of The Master Plan for the Advancement of Sports and sports events including the Tokyo 2009 Asia Youth Games, and conducted PR aimed at realizing the 2016 Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Games. During the course of the discussions, Mr. Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo made the following remarks. By having various cities in Asia continuously host world-scale sporting events in the future we can broadcast Asia’s attractiveness and potentialities to the world, which will be linked to improving Asia’s presence. As part of this effort, Tokyo is actively carrying out efforts such as the Asian Youth Para Games. We hope each city will support Tokyo as it seeks to host the 2016 Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Games. Following governor Ishihara’s remarks, a motion was submitted from Manila, which received the support of all the participating cities, which agreed to strongly support as ANMC21 Tokyo’s invitation to the 2016 Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Games. |
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| --Selecting the Next Host City-- It was decided that the next ANMC21 Plenary Meeting would be held in 2009 in Bangkok. |
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| ■November 21 (Fri) | |
| --Kuala Lumpur Declaration-- The results of the conference were summarized and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration was adopted.  In addition, the Chairman’s comment on the Kuala Lumpur Declaration was announced from Kuala Lumpur, and support by ANMC21 for Tokyo’s invitation to the 2016 Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Games was again expressed. --Comments by the representatives of member cities, Joint Press Conference--
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