World Cities Summit 2010 attracts leading international leaders and experts to drive dialogue on sustaining liveable cities
- Inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize to be conferred at the WCS

1    The second biennial World Cities Summit (WCS) 2010, to be held from 28 June to 1 July, returns with an even larger number of leading international speakers, representing diverse cities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Some of the notable figures include Mr Kamal Nath, India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Mrs Carrie Lam, Secretary of Development in Hong Kong SAR, Mom Rajawongse Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Governor of Bangkok, Ahn Sang-so, Mayor of Incheon, Anna K. Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, and Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank. Some 16 ministers, 31 governors and mayors, and more than 40 high level experts from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States have confirmed their attendance thus far.

2    These and other speakers will gather in Singapore to address issues on the practical aspects of city governance and integrated approaches to urban development under the Summit’s theme of ‘Liveable and Sustainable Cities for the Future’.

3    “With major cities around the world facing the pressures of growing urbanization, it is vital that governments, business and communities work together to address the issues of growth, liveability and sustainability,” said Mr Andrew Tan, Director of the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) and CEO of Singapore’s National Environment Agency. “Currently, there is a lack of strategic platforms where leaders, policy makers and solution providers can converge to discuss these challenges in an integrated manner. The World Cities Summit aims to provide such a dedicated platform. Many of the issues are inter-related and require multi-disciplinary perspectives and more importantly, holistic solutions.”

4    Jointly organised by the CLC and Singapore’s Civil Service College (CSC), this year’s Summit expects over 1,000 delegates, up from 800 delegates in 2008, comprising ministers, governors, mayors, senior government officials and business leaders. Event highlights include the World Mayors Forum, the World Cities Summit Expo, several Expert Panel Sessions, and various Learning Journeys.

5    This year’s Summit will also serve as the stage for the conferment of the inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize. Launched in June 2009, the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is a biennial international award co-organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and CLC A total of 78 nominations from 32 countries had been received at the close of the nominations on 30 November 2009. Keppel Corporation is the main sponsor for the Prize which includes a cash prize of S$300,000, an award certificate and a gold medallion.

6    “We have received a very good response for the Prize. There is a wide range of submissions from some 32 countries from different regions globally. Many of the projects are of a high calibre and offer innovative solutions and best practices that other cities can learn from in order to create vibrant, liveable cities," commented Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, Chief Executive Officer of URA, and a member of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Nominating Committee.

7    Expanding on the themes of the Prize and the World Cities Summit, Mr Lionel Yeo, Dean and CEO, CSC and Deputy Secretary (Development) at the Public Service Division said, "Good governance cannot be left to chance and its influence on urban outcomes cannot be underestimated. Liveable and sustainable cities require a sound governance framework that can harness and implement good ideas. This Summit is a timely platform for government, business and civic leaders to come together, exchange ideas and share knowledge on innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges facing billions around the world."

8    Despite having the third highest population density in the world, Singapore is often rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. One such ranking is the Mercer’s 2009 Quality of Life survey, which identifies Singapore as the highest ranking Asian city among 215 cities globally and the highest ranking city worldwide for city infrastructure. As host nation of the biennial Summit, Singapore is well placed to share its expertise in specific areas such as public housing, waste management, green infrastructure, and urban planning.