Xi'an holds UCLG conference and UNIDO special event

The 2025 World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Council Meeting and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)'s Bridge for Cities 10th Anniversary Special Event is being held in Xi'an, Oct 16 to 18, attracting over 500 guests from 146 cities and international organizations in 60 countries and regions.

This is the first time this flagship event has been held in China. UCLG, established in 2004, is the largest and most representative international organization of world cities and local governments. It covers 240,000 cities, towns, regions, and metropolises worldwide, affecting 70 percent of the global population, and has 175 national-level local government association members.

The 2025 UCLG Council Meeting is the organization's largest annual institutional gathering. It addresses key aspects of UCLG's legal affairs, policies, and finances, as well as develops next year's work plan. The meeting will focus on sustainable development and technological innovation to promote high-quality urban development.

Xi'an joined the UCLG in 2012 and was elected as the co-chair city at the sixth and seventh member conferences. Since then, Xi'an has participated in 347 conferences and hosted 25 events, which have enhanced Xi'an's influence worldwide and transformed the global governance system through local government efforts.

UNIDO is a multilateral technical assistance agency of the General Assembly of the UN, established in 1966 and officially became a specialized agency of the UN in June 1985, with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

With support from the Chinese government, since 2016, UNIDO has held the "Bridge for Cities" event every year to foster cooperation and exchanges between cities in countries involved in Belt and Road Initiative and other cities. Previous events have attracted mayors and senior officials from over 80 cities.

This year's special event will showcase Xi'an's rich traditional culture and highlight its economic and social development achievements. It aims to promote further collaboration in foreign affairs, economic and trade initiatives, advance higher-level opening-up, and build an important platform to accelerate Xi'an's development as an international metropolis.