OSAKA--7 Nov--Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/InfoQuest The Osaka Prefectural Government hosted an international meeting, the "Asia Metropolis Summit," on October 25-26, inviting representatives from remarkably growing Asian cities and regions in a bid to discuss sustainable development of Asia and improvement of urban attractiveness. (http://www.asia-summit.jp/) Represented at the summit were 11 Asian cities and regions: Beijing, Shanghai, the provinces of Jiangsu and Liaoning, Hong Kong, Seoul, Busan, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Singapore, and Delhi. Taking part from Japan were the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo, and the cities of Osaka, Sakai, Kyoto and Kobe. The delegates made presentations under the theme of "Exchange,""Economy" and "Environment & Urban Development," explaining about the charm and appeal of each city/region and challenges it faces, and thus deepening mutual understanding. In roundtable discussions, "Asia 11+1," representatives of the 11 overseas cities/regions and the Kansai region (including Osaka), exchanged opinions on ways of resolving common challenges. In the "Osaka Declaration" announcement, they agreed to assist, learn from and share wisdom with one another in an effort to work together for harmonized development of Asia through the "3 Es (Economy, Exchange and Environment)." Osaka Prefecture declared the fourth week of October as "World/Asia Week" and intensively held international meetings and trade fairs during the period, including the Asia Metropolis Summit and Japan-China Economic Conference, seeking to promote exchanges and among Osaka-based businesses in Asia. - Delegates from overseas: [Beijing] Mr. Lu Hao, Vice Mayor [Shanghai] Mr. Gong Xueping, Chairman, Standing Committee of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress [Jiangsu Province] Ms. Lixin Huang, Vice Governor [Liaoning Province] Mr. Li Wan Cai, Vice Governor [Hong Kong] Ms. Yvonne Choi, Permanent Secretary, Commerce & Economic Development (Commerce, Industry & Tourism) [Seoul] Mr. Lee Sang Ha, Director General, Seoul Metropolitan Government (Executive Assistant, President of Seoul Business Agency) [Busan] Mr. Hur Nam-sik, Mayor [Bangkok] Mrs. Wanvilai Promlakano, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Water Resources [Ho Chi Minh] Mr. Le Hoang Quan, Mayor Chairman, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee [Singapore] Dr. Amy Khor Lean Suan, Mayor, South West District, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Water Resources [Delhi] Mr. Uday Sahay, Directorate, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Source: Osaka Prefectural Government CONTACT: Hideo Nishikawa Asia Relations Division Department of Dynamic Osaka Promotion Osaka Prefectural Government Phone: +81-6-6944-6439 Fax: +81-6-6944-7568 E-mail: [email protected] --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--