Asian Network of Major Cities 21

(Basic principles)
In addition to their geographical location in the Asian region, the major cities of Asia possess many cultural similarities amongst their diversities. Their historic and economic development has also been closely interdependent. In order for Asia to develop further and be able to play a more important role in the international community during the 21st century, the major cities that function as the brain and the heart of Asia must ally as leaders and strive to establish even closer cooperative relationships.

To make this possible, we, the major cities of Asia, have agreed as written hereafter to form the “Asian Network of Major Cities 21” and to work together to tackle the issues that major cities share in common.

Chapter 1: General Rules

Article 1. (Name and abbreviation)
The name of this network shall be the “Asian Network of Major Cities 21”, its abbreviation being “ANMC 21”.

Article 2. (Constituent members)
ANMC 21 shall consist of capital cities and major cities of Asia.

Article 3. (Objectives)
The objectives of ANMC 21 are as follows:

To strengthen Asian identity and to enhance the importance of Asia in the international community by strengthening bonds and cooperation amongst major Asian cities.

To enable fellow major Asian cities to mutually share their knowledge and experience of common problems, and, through participation in joint projects, to make it possible for the positive outcomes of these projects to be fed back to regions, citizens, companies, and so forth, which will in turn contribute to social and economic development in Asia.

Article 4. (Activities)
In order to realise the objectives listed in the preceding articles, ANMC 21 will engage in the following activities:
(1) Convene plenary meetings.
(2) Promotion of joint projects.
(3) Other activities necessary to realise the objectives of ANMC 21.

Article 5. (Significance of joint projects)
The joint projects propelled by ANMC 21 will be projects that are deemed appropriate to be undertaken cooperatively concerning issues common to major cities by member cities regulated in Article 7.

Article 6. (Organisations)
The administrative mechanism of ANMC 21 will incorporate the following organisations:
(1) Plenary meeting.
(2) Secretariat.
Any other organisation regarded as necessary for the administrative duties of ANMC 21.

Chapter 2: Member Cities

Article 7. (Member cities)
Member cities of ANMC 21 are as listed separately.

Article 8. (Representatives)
The representative of a member city shall, in principle, be the head of that city.

Article 9. (Entry)
1. A city wishing to join ANMC 21 anew must submit a written application to the Secretariat.
2. Approval of membership shall require the assent of all member cities.
3. Qualification as a member city shall take effect on the day that approval is granted.

Article 10. (Withdrawal)
A member city may withdraw from ANMC 21 by submitting a written application for withdrawal to the Secretariat.

Chapter 3: Plenary meetings

Article 11. (Plenary meetings)
1. A plenary meeting shall, in principle, be held once a year.
2. A plenary meeting shall be convened by the representative of the city where the meeting is to be held.

Article 12. (Composition)
1. A plenary meeting shall be comprised of member cities as regulated in Article 7.

2. A plenary meeting shall be attended by the representative of a member city. However, if the representative is unable to attend a plenary meeting in person, the representative may delegate authority to another person who will attend the meeting.

3. Based on the introduction by a member city and the prior consent of all member cities, a city other than a member city may take part in the Plenary meeting as an observer.

Article 13. (Agenda of plenary meetings)
Agenda of plenary meetings shall be:

(1) Determination of joint projects.
(2) Determination of the city where the next plenary meeting is to be held.
(3) Amendment or revocation of the Charter of ANMC 21.
Supervision of the state of progress of joint projects.
Admission of new members.
Other important matters relating to the administration of ANMC 21.

Article 14. (Chairperson)
A plenary meeting shall, in principle, be chaired by the representative of the city where the meeting is being held.

Article 15. (Quorum and resolutions)
1. The quorum at a plenary meeting shall be one half of the member cities.

2. Items on the agenda of a plenary meeting shall be decided upon in unanimity. In the case where a unanimous decision cannot be reached, a resolution may be passed in line with a decision reached by two-thirds or more of the participating member cities.

Article 16. (Determination of the city where a plenary meeting is to be held)
The city where a plenary meeting is to be held shall be determined through a member city putting forward its candidacy, with the proviso that the same city shall not hold the session on consecutive occasions.

Article 17. (Defrayal of costs)
The city where a plenary meeting is held shall defray the costs related to organisation of the meeting, and the participating member cities shall defray costs relating to their participation including travel costs, accommodation costs, etc.

Article 18. (Compilation of report)
The city where a plenary meeting is held shall, in principle, send an implementation report to member cities within three months following the end of the plenary meeting.

Chapter 4: Secretariat

Article 19. (Secretariat)
1. The Secretariat shall be based in Tokyo.

2. The Secretariat shall consist of a Secretary-General and other employees.

3. The Secretariat shall cooperate fully with the city where the plenary meeting is to be held in connection with organisation of the meeting.

Article 20. (Administrative work)
The Secretariat shall have the following duties:

Keeping custody of the Charter of ANMC 21 and notifying individual cities in the case of its amendment or revocation.
Monitoring of the state of progress of joint projects.
Liaison, coordination and support in connection with administrative work related to plenary meeting and joint projects.
Keeping custody and submitting records of meetings and other information relating to administration of ANMC 21.
Other items necessary in connection with administration of ANMC 21.

Chapter 5: Joint Projects

Article 21. (Proposals, determination and participation)
1. The Secretariat may, prior to a plenary meeting, request member cities to submit proposals for joint projects.

2. Member cities may make proposals for joint projects at plenary meetings, by way of the Secretariat, in line with the objectives of ANMC 21.

3. Determination of joint projects shall be made at plenary meetings, by expression of two or more cities’ participation in a specific project including the city proposing it.

4. Member cities may, on their own judgement, select projects in which they wish to participate and may take part in these projects.

5. Member cities shall, as far as possible, provide their support for joint projects determined, irrespective of whether or not they participate in them.

Article 22. (Implementation of joint projects and defrayal of costs)
1. In connection with joint projects that have been determined, the city proposing a particular joint project shall, in principle, compile a detailed proposal in its function as the joint project organiser (hereinafter referred to as “Organising City”), and the project shall be implemented at the responsibility and cost of the cities taking part in the project (hereinafter referred to as “Participating Cities”).

2. In connection with the implementation of a joint project, the Participating Cities shall, upon discussion and agreement, share responsibilities involved in the project, such as personnel despatch costs, submission of information, etc.

Article 23. (Reports on joint projects)
An Organising City shall, in principle, submit a report on the progress of joint projects to member cities and the Secretariat at least once a year.

Article 24. (A meeting relating to a specific joint project)
1. When implementing a joint project, an Organising City may, when necessary, convene a meeting relating to the specific joint project with Participating Cities.

2. Meetings relating to a specific joint project shall, in principle, be attended by the Participating Cities. However, with the approval of the Organising City, a member city other than a Participating City, a city other than a member city, or a private company or any other organisation connected with the joint project may take part in meetings as an observer.

3. An Organising City shall notify the Secretariat before convening a meeting relating to a specific joint project.

4. An Organising City must report to the Secretariat on the outcome of a meeting held in relation to a specific joint project.

5. Defrayal of costs connected with meetings relating to a specific joint project shall, in principle, be handled mutatis mutandis in accordance with the rules of Article 17.

Chapter 6: ANMC 21 Exhibition

Article 25. (ANMC 21 Exhibition)
1. The city organising a plenary meeting shall hold an ANMC 21 Exhibition to coincide with the plenary meeting.

2. Member cities shall, in principle, take part in the ANMC 21 Exhibition and shall cooperate with the city that holds the Exhibition in connection with organisation of the exhibition.

3. The content of an ANMC 21 Exhibition will be approximately as follows:

(1) Presentation of joint projects by means of symposiums and displays, etc.
(2) City sales by member cities.
(3) Presentation of Asian industries and cultures by means of displays and events.