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December 18, 2018
Office of the Governor for Policy Planning
Bureau of General Affairs
Tokyo to Host Two International Conferences in May 2019:
Urban 20 Mayors Summit and Urban Resilience Forum Tokyo
In May 2019, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is set to concurrently host two international conferences for world-leading city representatives-the Urban 20 (U20) Mayors Summit and the Urban Resilience Forum Tokyo (URF). Please find below details of both events and Governor Koike’s remarks regarding the occasion:
1. Conference Title and Goals
(1) U20 Mayors Summit
While Japan serves as the chair country for the 2019 G20 Summit, Tokyo will be hosting the U20 Mayors Summit, an event that brings together leaders of the world’s major cities. Towards the realization of a sustainable and inclusive world, the participants will discuss issues common to global cities, and craft messages to be delivered to the G20.
Themes (to be confirmed)
- Sustainability
- Social Integration and Inclusion
- Economic Growth
(2) Urban Resilience Forum Tokyo (URF)
In the lead-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, and in the face of increasingly frequent and intensified urban disasters worldwide, representatives will meet at this forum to share knowledge and policies on disaster preparedness to increase intercity solidarity and common assets. The forum will make an appeal to the world regarding the importance of disaster preparedness in urban areas.
Theme
Effective Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Management - Common Responsibilities and Unique Initiatives
2. Dates
Monday, May 20, - Wednesday, May 22, 2019
3. Venues
Hilton Tokyo and Hyatt Regency Tokyo
4. Participants (Planned) *Current status, subject to change in the future
(1) U20 Mayors Summit
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. David Malone, Rector of the United Nations University
- Mayors of U20 cities, various international organizations and other groups
* Osaka City, host of the 2019 G20 Summit, will also be invited.
The 26 U20 Cities
(in alphabetical order, (*) indicates Tokyo’s nine sister/friendship cities)
Barcelona, Beijing*, Berlin*, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Durban, Hamburg, Huston, Jakarta*, Johannesburg, London*, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Montreal, Moscow*, New York*, Paris*, Rio de Janeiro, Rome*, São Paulo, Seoul*, Sydney, Tokyo, Tshwane
(2) Urban Resilience Forum Tokyo
- Mayoral roundtable moderator:
Ms. Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) - Mayors from cities worldwide working on disaster preparedness policies, officials in charge of disaster preparation and other related participants.
5. Comment from the Governor of Tokyo on the Hosting of These Events
In May 2019, two international conferences will be held concurrently in Tokyo.
To resolve global challenges such as climate change and social inclusion, the actions of major cities, which are centers for large populations and economic activities, are increasingly important. In recognition of this, the Urban 20 (U20) initiative was established as a platform for cities. Shortly after its launch, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also started taking part. In 2019, Tokyo will serve as Chair of the U20. We will invite leaders of major cities to Tokyo for the U20 Mayors Summit, where we will convey an earnest message from cities to the G20 to realize a sustainable and inclusive world.
This year, Japan also suffered a great deal of damage from disasters such as earthquakes and storms and floods. Disasters, including earthquakes, tsunami, and large-scale typhoons, can occur at any time around the world, and have the potential to be more extreme than past estimates. This realization has reinforced my awareness of the “Always be prepared” concept. Urban Resilience Forum Tokyo will gather cities that have experienced disasters. The forum will also welcome Ms. Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) as moderator for the Roundtable Session for Mayors. At the session, city leaders will share their commitment to protecting the lives of citizens, as well as disaster preparedness knowledge for the benefit of the world.
With the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 just ahead, by holding both conferences, I hope to impress upon the world the image of Tokyo as it works to make great strides toward becoming an even more mature city.
(Reference) About the Urban 20 (U20)
The U20 is a new platform of 26 cities facilitated by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group in collaboration with United Cities and Local Governments. Proposed by the Mayors of Buenos Aires and Paris (Chair of the C40 Group), it was established on December 12, 2017. It aims to deliver messages to the G20 to contribute to solving global issues and socioeconomic ramifications. Tokyo joined the U20 on January 24, 2018 and the first Mayors Summit was held in Buenos Aires on October 28.
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