Q: What is the GMF (Global Mayors Forum)?
A: The Global Mayors Forum was conceived in China and is committed to becoming a high-end urban forum as it puts its focus on Mayors from five continents with the purpose to encourage city operation discussion between mayors and promotes collaboration and exchange of ideas on urban and social sustainability. The GMF provides global cities and mayors a stage for discussing various issues and challenges, sharing management experience. The GMF also serves as a platform for global mayors and cities to exhibit their urban development achievements, launching concrete projects and establishing networks.

Q: What is the background of the launching of the GMF?
A: Since its initiation in 2005, the Global Mayors Forum (GMF) has aimed to promote better cultural understanding for sustainable urban development. During the past four years, the International Mayors Communication Centre (IMCC) has visited numerous cities on five continents and has reached consensus on the launch of the GMF with many international organizations and local governments. The inaugural Global Mayors Forum, 2010 GMF, will be held in November 2010 in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China.

Q: What are the objectives of the GMF?
A: The objectives of the GMF are:
‐To strengthen city‐to‐city communication, coordination, and cooperation, especially between Chinese and overseas cities.
‐To provide a strategic framework for action that will allow cities to develop sustainable solutions that are relevant to their own cultural context.
‐To promote the technology and expertise of developed cities around the world.
‐To promote relationship building among cities.
‐To build a global network for the promotion of mutual learning and cooperation among cities.
‐To promote world peace and the progress of human civilization.

Q: What is the frequency of holding a GMF and how to decide a meeting venue?
A: The GMF will be held on a fixed date every two years with the venue to be decided by the Forum Council. Each time applications proposed by the member cities and after gaining approval from the Forum Council, the venue will be decided.

Q: What is the organizational structure of the GMF?
A: The GMF Council is the highest level policy-making/decision-making body. The Council is made up by representatives of the Forum partner organizers and each council member shares the responsibility in managing and directing the forum operation and development.

The IMCC is the permanent Secretariat of the Global Mayors Forum.
The Secretariat handles the forum’s daily affairs, organization, and management. The steering committee is elected at each Forum to be in charge of the preparation, organization, and operation of an upcoming forum. Members of the steering committee are entitled to be elected as members of the Council, which is chaired by the International Mayors Communication Center (IMCC).

The partner, endorsement, and supporting organizations are equally entitled to join the organizing committee, whose size is decided by the Forum Council.

Q: What is the exact time and location for the 2010 GMF?
A: The 2010 GMF will be held in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China from November 5th to November 8th, 2010.

Q: What are the partner organizations?
A: The creator and main organizer for 2010GMF is the International Mayors Communication Centre (IMCC), and it is jointly organized by the International Centre for Sustainable Cities (ICSC), Cityscape, ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements (CITYNET). It also enjoys the support of official bodies, such as the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA).

Q: Who are the major participants?
A: A total of 1000 guests from all over the world will participate the forum, including a dozen officers from the United Nations and other international organizations, 200 mayors, 500 top investors, 200 city operators, and approximately 100 urban management specialists.

Q: What are the major activities of the 2010 GMF?
A: The major activities include Plenary Sessions, Parallel Sessions, High-End dialogues, Urban Project Recommendations, Signing Ceremony for the GMF Hong Kong Statement, City‐to‐City Relationship Celebration, City Tours, Awards Ceremony, Spouse and Partner Activities, the My City, Our World International Youth Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition, and the Vogue for China Artistic Calligraphy and Painting exhibition.

For more details please visit the official website of the 2010 GMF:
www.g-mforum.org

Q: What are the procedures needed to become a member organization of the 2010 Global Mayors Forum?
A:  First, relevant applicants are summoned.
Second, the applicants are reviewed and evaluated from all dimensions.
Third, in-depth discussions are brought up between both sides.
Fourth, an official memorandum (MOA) on 2010 GMF is signed to confirm to start collaboration.

Q：Who will serve as mayoral keynote speakers?
A: Major mayoral keynote speakers include: 
(1) At Plenary Session: mayor representatives from the 6 continents, 1 mayor for each continent and 6 in total.
(2) At Parallel Session: there will be 10 sessions in total. In each session, the mayor speakers are made by one Chinese mayor and 3 others from different continents.
(3) At High-end Dialogue: there will be 5 sessions in total, 1 Chinese mayor and 1 foreign mayor will speak at each dialogue.