Local authorities gain valuable insights at mayors’ forum in New York

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(Front, from left) Council chiefs Tiong, Chan and Abang Wahap, and their respective officials (back, from left) Hii, Liew and Dr Saadiah are state delegates who attended the recent world’s mayors forum in New York City.

(Front, from left) Council chiefs Tiong, Chan and Abang Wahap, and their respective officials (back, from left) Hii, Liew and Dr Saadiah are state delegates who attended the recent world’s mayors forum in New York City.

SIBU: The recent World Cities Summit Mayors Forum 2015 in New York served as an avenue for city leaders to discuss issues and challenges affecting many urban centres, as well as a platform to share best practices among the delegates.

Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) said the forum, organised by the Singapore government, ran from June 8 to 10 in New York City.

“The exclusive, by-invitation-only forum is a global platform that focuses on ‘Innovative Cities of Opportunity’. It is meant to foster discussions on the best practices in urban policy innovation, as well as to encourage collaborations among city leaders.

“The discussions surround four main themes, namely housing and economic development, transportation and mobility, sustainability and resiliency, as well as education and competitiveness,” the council said in a press statement yesterday.

The state sent a six-member delegation for the New York forum.

They comprise Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai with its director Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat; Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan with its public relations and corporate development officer Lilian Liew; and SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King with its secretary Hii Chang Kee.