Guangzhou Award held a networking event under the theme of “Urban Innovation and Inclusive Development” in Daejeon, South Korea on October 12. The event was co-organized by the UCLG Community on Urban Innovation, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Local Economic Development Committee of the UCLG, as well as the Guangzhou Institute for Urban Innovation.

As a side event of the 7th UCLG World Congress, the event aims to engage participants in interactive learning through the analysis and discussion of innovation cases from award-winning cities. Union of Dannieh Municipalities, Lebanon, one of the winners of the 5th Guangzhou Award, shared their urban innovation experiences. More than 30 participants, including experts, international organizations representatives from Durban of South Africa, Buenos Aires of Argentina, and UCLG Local Economic and Social Development Committee, gained a deep understanding of the key processes involved in urban innovation through brainstorming, case study, peer review, interactive Q&A, and other methods. Nicholas You, the Senior Adviser of the Guangzhou Award and the Executive Director of Guangzhou Institute for Urban Innovation, moderated the workshop. He also introduced the plans for the 6th Guangzhou Awards as well as the 2022 Workshop for Thought Leaders and the Guangzhou Award 10^th Anniversary Celebration.

UCLG is the world’s largest international organization of cities and local governments. The UCLG World Congress, held every three years, is the most important and largest international conference of the organization. The 7th UCLG World Congress, themed “Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One”, was held in Daejeon, South Korea, from October 10 to 14, 2022.

The Guangzhou Award was established jointly by the City of Guangzhou, the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis). It aims to inspire and promote innovation in global urban governance by recognizing urban innovation initiatives of worldwide significance. The biennial Guangzhou Award has successfully been held five cycles, with five winning cities being selected each time.