On 26th Jun., 2009, the Secretariat of the Global Mayors Forum (GMF) received an official letter from Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In his letter, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura has announced the UNESCO to be a supporting organization of the GMF and senior officials from UNESCO will be appointed to participate in the inaugural GMF.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the specialized United Nations agency, works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilization, culture and people, based upon respect for commonly shared values. Founded in 1945, UNESCO has 193 Member States and a wide range of cooperative network. It promotes international cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. In addition, UNESCO is in charge of the management and protection of about 900 World Heritages, as well as the selection and audit of new World Heritage.

As the Secretariat of the GMF and with the mission of “Being the communicator of metropolitan cultures”, the International Mayors Communication Centre (IMCC) has long been well cooperating with UNESCO and together they have launched a series of cultural activities. For example, in 2002, Ms. Jin Lan, Executive Chairman of the IMCC, was responsible for planning and co-hosting the 2002 China Penglai World Peace and Development Forum which was hosted by the UNESCO. From 2002 to 2006, Ms. Jin had organized China Penglai “Ode to Peace” International Youth Cultural and Artistic Grand Ceremony, which was highly praised by Mr. Koichiro Matsuura as he honored this to be “The greatest assembly by humanity for world peace.”

The smooth cooperation between the IMCC and UNESCO has laid a solid foundation for further collaboration between both sides. In his letter, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura appreciated Ms. Jin for inviting him to attend the Global Mayors Forum; he said that even if he would not be able to come due to prior commitments, he would appoint senior officials to attend the upcoming forum. At last, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura sincerely wished a grand success for the GMF.

The confirmation from the UNESCO on becoming a supporting organization of the GMF means a strong support gained from all UN agencies in charge of urban development issues, which has also become an incontrovertible evidence of its excellence. We will closely contact with UN-HABITAT, UNEP, UNDP and UNESCO, thus to organize Global Mayors Forum to be an international urban forum with high standard and high efficiency.