Warm greetings from Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia!
The Northeast Asian Mayors’ Forum was first organized in Ulaanbaatar City in 2014, allowing participant cities to discuss solutions, exchange ideas and share knowledge and experiences on the arising issues of the cities and strengthen regional cooperation. The Forum was initiated and organized by the Ulaanbaatar City Government with the support of the Asia Foundation.
It is our pleasure to note that Ulaanbaatar City successfully organized the NEAMFs in 2014, 2016, 2018, and NEAMF Thematic meeting in 2015 respectively. Past forums discussed a broad range of topics including sustainable, green and inclusive urban development, environmental issues, air pollution, water management, energy saving, urban economic development, investments, financial mechanisms for green development, eco-transportation and green infrastructure.
It is important to emphasize that the support, initiatives and involvement of participant cities are very significant for the further strengthening of the Forum and the expansion of regional cooperation.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the NEAMF Secretariat in September 2020 in accordance with the decision of the Third Northeast Asian Mayors’ Forum which was held in Ulaanbaatar city in 2018.
We are confident that sustainable operations of NEAMF as a result of our joint efforts, will make a valuable contribution to our cities’ friendly relationship and partnership in the region.
The Northeast Asian Mayors’ Forum
The Northeast Asian Mayors’ Forum was first initiated by the Ulaanbaatar City Government in 2014 and successfully organized with the support of the Asia Foundation. It has been operating continuously since then. There were three forums and one thematic meeting held in the past which gathered delegates from over 40 cities in six Northeast Asian countries – the People’s Republic of China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea,and the Russian Federation – to discuss solutions and share experiences on the pressing issues among the cities.
In recent years, Asian cities have experienced the highest urbanization rates in the world, and by 2030, nearly 57 percent of Asia’s population is expected to live in urban areas. Therefore, along with the rapid growth of urbanization, there is dire need for proper management on many issues including urban planning, air and soil pollution, waste management, efficiency use of energy, and good governance.
The main purpose of the Forum is not only to exchange ideas, innovative experiences and solutions to the above issues the cities in the region are facing but also to strengthen regional cooperation development.
To lay down the legal basis for institutionalization of the NEAMF as a permanent mechanism through developing and adopting of such founding documents as Charter and Rules of Procedure to establish its organizational structure, membership rules, and financing regulations
To develop and adopt respective operational documents such as Internal Rules and Staff Regulations for the Secretariat which is to provide professional support to the NEAMF
To develop cooperation with other organizations in Asia and globally as a permanent mechanism to promote interaction and cooperation among the cities in Northeast Asia
