In order to raise Taipei’s international profile, the City Government has joined some important international city-level organizations in recent years. So far, Taipei is an official member of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) & United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC), Sister Cities International (SCI), CITYNET, the Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF), and Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21). Moreover, Taipei City has been regularly invited to international conferences such as World Cities Summit (WCS) and Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS).
United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) & United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC)
Founded in 2004, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is an organization for cities, local governments and municipal associations throughout the world. It is the largest local government organization in the world and serves as the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government. UCLG promotes its values, objectives, and interests through cooperation among local governments and within the international community. UCLG has member cities in over 127 UN member states across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Euro-Asia, the Middle East and West Asia, Latin America, and North America.
The Taipei City Government is an active participant in UCLG and UCLG-ASPAC and also an executive member of these two organizations. Taipei is eager to continue its substantial cooperation and exchanges with other members of UCLG.
Sister Cities International (SCI)
Sister Cities International is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities. Its goals are to develop municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, and states and similar jurisdictions in other nations; to provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships; to create an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened; to stimulate environments through which communities will creatively learn, work, and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects; and to collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries which share similar goals.
There are approximately 2500 members of Sister Cities International. Taipei City has been an active participant since 2002.
CITYNET
Established in 1987, CITYNET is comprised of governmental and non-governmental organizations of major cities in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a few governmental and non-governmental organizations in Europe, under the guidance of and with the budget support of UNESCAP and UNDP.
The head office of CITYNET is in Yokohama, Japan; four other affiliate offices are situated in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The goal of CITYNET is to assist developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region via inter-cooperation among international cities; to promote environmental protection, hygiene, and social welfare systems; and to advance infrastructural, administrative, and financial strategic plans.
Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF)
GSEF is an international association of local governments and civil society networks engaged in the promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) as a mean to achieve an inclusive and sustainable local development. GSEF promotes various forms of SSE, including social enterprises, cooperatives, foundations, mutuals and self-help groups that put people over profit. GSEF believes that systemic changes start first at the local level based on the partnership between civil society, and the public and private sectors. Thus, GSEF is co-chaired by both a local government (represented by the mayor of the chair city) and a representative of civil society networks.
As of May 2020, GSEF brings together 75 members on the 5 continents coming from 36 countries, including 26 local governments and 35 SSE networks. Taipei has been an active participant in GESF since 2019.
Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21)
The Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21) is an international network of Asian capital and major cities, undertaking joint projects on common tasks regarding crisis management, environmental countermeasures and industrial development, and applying the outcome for the prosperity / development of the Asian region. Member cities include Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metropolitan Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Tomsk, Ulaanbaatar, Yangon (13 cities). ANMC21 is not conducting any activities at this time.
Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS)
The Asia Pacific Cities Summit was founded in 1996, via the advocacy of the former Mayor of Brisbane, Jim Soorley. The Summit is held biannually, with the host city alternating between Brisbane and other host cities in the Asia-Pacific region. The Summit is recognized as the region's business and government forum, as it provides a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and successes between cities in the Asia-Pacific and is also a platform for trade development. Taipei has been an active participant in the Summit since 1997.
World Cities Summit (WCS)
The biennial World Cities Summit (WCS) is an exclusive platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge new partnerships. Jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), key highlights of the Summit include the WCS Mayors Forum, the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize and the WCS Young Leaders Symposium.
United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) & United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC)
Founded in 2004, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is an organization for cities, local governments and municipal associations throughout the world. It is the largest local government organization in the world and serves as the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government. UCLG promotes its values, objectives, and interests through cooperation among local governments and within the international community. UCLG has member cities in over 127 UN member states across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Euro-Asia, the Middle East and West Asia, Latin America, and North America.
The Taipei City Government is an active participant in UCLG and UCLG-ASPAC and also an executive member of these two organizations. Taipei is eager to continue its substantial cooperation and exchanges with other members of UCLG.
Sister Cities International (SCI)
Sister Cities International is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities. Its goals are to develop municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, and states and similar jurisdictions in other nations; to provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships; to create an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened; to stimulate environments through which communities will creatively learn, work, and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects; and to collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries which share similar goals.
There are approximately 2500 members of Sister Cities International. Taipei City has been an active participant since 2002.
CITYNET
Established in 1987, CITYNET is comprised of governmental and non-governmental organizations of major cities in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a few governmental and non-governmental organizations in Europe, under the guidance of and with the budget support of UNESCAP and UNDP.
The head office of CITYNET is in Yokohama, Japan; four other affiliate offices are situated in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The goal of CITYNET is to assist developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region via inter-cooperation among international cities; to promote environmental protection, hygiene, and social welfare systems; and to advance infrastructural, administrative, and financial strategic plans.
Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF)
GSEF is an international association of local governments and civil society networks engaged in the promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) as a mean to achieve an inclusive and sustainable local development. GSEF promotes various forms of SSE, including social enterprises, cooperatives, foundations, mutuals and self-help groups that put people over profit. GSEF believes that systemic changes start first at the local level based on the partnership between civil society, and the public and private sectors. Thus, GSEF is co-chaired by both a local government (represented by the mayor of the chair city) and a representative of civil society networks.
As of May 2020, GSEF brings together 75 members on the 5 continents coming from 36 countries, including 26 local governments and 35 SSE networks. Taipei has been an active participant in GESF since 2019.
Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21)
The Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21) is an international network of Asian capital and major cities, undertaking joint projects on common tasks regarding crisis management, environmental countermeasures and industrial development, and applying the outcome for the prosperity / development of the Asian region. Member cities include Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metropolitan Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Tomsk, Ulaanbaatar, Yangon (13 cities). ANMC21 is not conducting any activities at this time.
Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS)
The Asia Pacific Cities Summit was founded in 1996, via the advocacy of the former Mayor of Brisbane, Jim Soorley. The Summit is held biannually, with the host city alternating between Brisbane and other host cities in the Asia-Pacific region. The Summit is recognized as the region's business and government forum, as it provides a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and successes between cities in the Asia-Pacific and is also a platform for trade development. Taipei has been an active participant in the Summit since 1997.
World Cities Summit (WCS)
The biennial World Cities Summit (WCS) is an exclusive platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge new partnerships. Jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), key highlights of the Summit include the WCS Mayors Forum, the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize and the WCS Young Leaders Symposium.
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