Cities Profile

Mr. Lee Yi Shyan Minister of State Ministry of National Development of Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore

Mr Lee Yi Shyan was appointed Minister of State for Trade & Industry in May 2006. Mr Lee actively promotes entrepreneurship development in Singapore and overseas economic cooperations with China, Middle East and Russia. He co-chaired the Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council and the Singapore-Shandong Business Council. Currently, Mr Lee co-chairs the Singapore-Tianjian Economic and Trade Council, the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum, the Saudi-Singapore Economic Cities Business Forum and is a member of the Qatar-Singapore High Level Joint Committee.

In May 2011, Mr Lee was concurrently appointed Minister of State for National Development, where he oversees urban planning, city development, sustainable development and town council policies. He also spearheads Singapore's collaboration with China in the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City project.

Prior to joining politics in 2006, Mr Lee served in a number of leadership positions in Singapore's public service. It includes the Ministery of Defence (1987-1990), Economic Development Board (1991-2000), Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (2000-2001) and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore (2001-2006).

Mr Lee studied Chemical Engineering in the National University of Singapore in 1986. He had also completed executive management programmes at the Harvard Business School and Tsinghua University.

Mr Lee is also the President of the Singapore Badminton Association. For leisure Mr Lee enjoys badminton, golf, skiing, reading and music.

Greg Clark Chairman, OECD LEED Forum Senior Fellow, Urban Land Institute

Greg Clark is an expert Facilitator/Moderator of conferences and events on city and regional development. He acts as a 'thought leader' and 'event leader' for governments, major corporations, inter-governmental and business groups. Current roles are:

1. Senior Fellow, Urban Land Institute, Europe.
2. Chief Advisor and Chairman of the OECD LEED Forum on Development Agencies and Investment Strategies.
3. Lead Advisor, World Bank Urbanisation Knowledge Platform.
4. Senior Non-Resident Fellow (Global Fellow), Brookings Institution, Washington DC.
5. Board of Directors, Centre for London.
6. Associate, LSE Cities, London School of Economics, London.
7. Chairman of British BIDs Advisory Board.
8. Visiting Professor, Cass Business School, City of London.
9. Member, Future of Cities Advisory Board, Oxford University.
10. Global Cities Advisor, Cap Gemini.
11. Chairman of the International Advisory Panel on Sao Paulo 2040.
12. Member, Advisory Board, Greater Manchester LEP.

He has moderated conferences and strategic events for many City Governments, EuroCities, OECD, World Bank, The Financial Times, The European Investment Bank, MIPIM, UK Government, LSE, Brookings Institution, and EU Council.

From 1988 to 2006 Greg Clark held a variety of posts including: Lead Advisor on City & Regional Development, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, UK Government, Executive Director of Strategy and Communications, London Development Agency, Managing Director, Economic Development, at Greater London Enterprise, Chief Executive of the London Enterprise Agency: 'One London', and International Programmes Director at the London Docklands Development Corporation.

Selected as a Harkness Fellow in 1995, he reviewed 12 North American cites/regions from a base as a fellow at Columbia University in New York City. As Chairman of the European Urban Development Forum from 1996 to 2000 he oversaw reviews of 24 European Cities/Regions. Since 1998 has undertaken OECD reviews in 27 cities around the world. He has directed comparative studies and assessments of London and New York, British & Spanish Cities, UK & Canadian Cities, and UK & Chinese Cities. He has been a strategy advisor to more than 20 cities in 5 continents and has led international city networks & projects on city leadership, openness and migration, urban investment, long term strategic planning, economic strategy, and city branding.

Trained as an Economist, Political Scientist, Facilitator, and Mentor. Cambridge University, UK, Columbia University, NYC, London School of Economics, UK.

Ba Ria- Vung Tau Province (Vietnam) Tran Minh Sanh Chairman

Stay tuned for more information!

Champasak (Laos) Bounthong DIVIXAY Vice-Governor

Dr. Bounthong DIVIXAY was born in Nongbouangai village, Pathumphone district, Champasack province on the 5 July 1954. He decided to study politic at University of Hanoi, Vetnam on year 1986 to 1990.

After he completed his study he continuous to work on public administration at Pakse district as a capital of the Champasack province. He had continuous to study for mater and PH.D of Philosophy on economical at Hochimin National Political Academy, Vetnam on 1995 to 2001.

In 2005 he was appointed as the Pakse district governor. For the period 2005 to 2010 he assigned to be Director general of Department of Energy and Mine of Champasack province. In 2010 he was appointed as Vice Governor of Champasack province, a position which he still stay on.

Jakarta (Indonesia) Sutanto Soehodho Deputy-Governor

Prof. Soetanto believes in hard work and self-integrity. To him, challenges are not to be viewed as a burden, but a milestone of success, and difficulties are actually means to shape someone into a better person. He has been through positions such as CEO of a toll road company, director of a cement industry, Vice Rector of the University of Indonesia, and finally, the Deputy Governor of Jakarta.

As Deputy Governor, he envisions Jakarta as a modern service city which can compete with other developed cities. Emphasis on the development of transport systems is a must since it is the backbone of Jakarta economy as a service city. Priority to smooth transportation of humans and goods should be the comparative advantage of Jakarta in the future.

In order to accomplish this, Jakarta should have a sound public transport, world class port, and airport. Jakarta aims to develop Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), starting with the establishment of TransJakarta Bus Rapid Transit System. Jakarta also aims to create a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Special Economic Zone, and world class port. Jakarta has been keeping up with the completion of road network infrastructures, and focusing Industrial development with the emphasis on environment-friendly technology, high capital investment and hi-tech industries. Trade centers and efficient logistic systems are to be developed in order to alleviate costs. Eventually all those developments have to be based on environmental consideration for sustainability.

Jambi (Indonesia) Hasvia Hasyimi Director

Stay tuned for more information!

Kepri (Indonesia) H. Muhammad Sani Governor

Stay tuned for more information!

Luang Prabang Province (Laos) Khamkhan Chanthavisouk Vice-Governor

Mr. Khamkhan Chanthavisouk is a local governmental authority of Luang Prabang province, Laos. He holds the Vice governor position since 2009, his carrier in charge of economic sectors including bank, planning and investment, finance, and public work and transportation. A part from economic sectors he also in charge of Political Grassroots building and inclusive Rural Development. The governmental authorities created with the objective of initiating and supporting projects which is set up rural development and poverty eradication projects. The project aims to promoting internal and external investment for rural development and poverty eradication. Mr. Khamkhan Chanthavisouk was appointed as Mayor of Luang Prabang city from 2004-2006 and was appointed as Mayor of Nan District from 1990-1997.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (Philippines) Atty Francis N Tolentino Chairman

Atty. Francis N. Tolentino is the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, he previously served as mayor of the tagaytay city for three consecutive terms from 1995 – 2004. He is a doctoral degree candidate at the Tulane University Law School in New Orleans. He obtained his master of laws, specializing in Public International Law, from the University of London. Chairman Tolentino passed the 1984 Philippine Bar Exams and the 1991 New York State Bar Exams. He holds the rank of a Full Colonel of the Philippine Army Reserve.

Penang (Malaysia) Lim Guan Eng Chief Minister, Penang

Mr. Lim Guan Eng was appointed as the fourth Chief Minister of Penang after he had won the Air Putih State Assembly Seat in the recent Malaysian General Elections in March 2008. Mr. Lim was also elected as the Member of Parliament for Bagan in the same general elections.

Prior to joining politics, he was holding a senior executive position in the banking industry. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka for three consecutive terms from 1986 until 1998. In 1990, Mr. Lim was appointed as the Socialist Youth Chairman of Democratic Action Party (DAP) and elected to the same position in 1992. Mr. Lim was then elected as the DAP's Deputy Secretary-General in 1995 and subsequently elected as the Secretary General of the Party in 2004, and re-elected in 2008 , a position he holds until today.

Mr. Lim was born in December 1960. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the Monash University, Australia and is a qualified accountant.

Mr. Lim is married to the Honourable Madam Betty Chew Gek Cheng, a lawyer and State Assemblywoman for Kota Laksamana, Melaka. They are blessed with four children.

Phnom Penh (Cambodia) Trac Thai Seang Vice-Governor

Stay tuned for more information!

Quang Ngai (Vietnam) Vo Van Thuong Secretary

Vo Van Thuong was born on 13 December 1970 in Hai Duong province.

My expertise: Public administration

My work history is as follows:

São Paulo (Brazil) Edson Aparecido Secretary, Metropolitan Development for the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Edson Aparecido is a Congressman with a bachelor degree in history from the Catholic University of São Paulo. Born in São Paulo, began his political life in the 70's in the student movement, participating in major campaigns for democratization of the country. Held office of state representative for two terms (1998/2006) when he was leader of the Geraldo Alckmin´s administration. It is one of the founders of the PSDB, the social democratic party of Brazil and currently its vice-president. He was advisor to the Minister Sergio Motta, participating in the successful privatization of telecommunications in the country. Since 2011, he is Secretary of Metropolitan Development of the State of São Paulo and is responsible for articulating solutions with other state departments and plan together with the municipalities in addressing the major regional problems. As these problems are generally of high scale and complexity, in general, municipalities are unable to address them alone and it is required state and federal participation. Those are the cases of policies to improve urban mobility, transport, sanitation, combating floods, waste treatment, housing and public safety, planning and actions that require coordinated and integrated actions.

São Paulo State (Brazil) Silvio França Torres Secretary of Housing for the State of São Paulo

Silvio Torres, a native of Sao Jose do Rio Pardo, São Paulo's state, Brazil.

He is an entrepreneur, graduate in social sciences from the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature of Sao Jose do Rio Pardo (1966-1970) and in the media - journalism, in the University of São Paulo (1970-1973).

Mayor of Sao Jose do Rio Pardo, between 1983 and 1988, state representative (deputy) from 1991 to 1995. He is Rep. by São Paulo's State in his fourth term (1995-1999, 1999-2002, 2005-2007 and 2010), in federal chamber of deputies. He was also president of CEPAM (Centre for Research and Municipal Administration) between 2003 and 2004.

Tomsk (Russia) Alexey Sevostyanov Vice-Mayor

Mr Sevostyanov is a vice mayor of Tomsk. He is responsible for external relations of the city, interaction with communities, youth policy, and design of the city.

Tomsk is a unique Russian city with its educational and scientific institutions. 20 per cent of the population of Tomsk is students. Thus the development of city is interrelated with its universities and the main aim for the city administration is to create liveable city. Scientific and Educational organizations should be in its core.

Tokyo Metropolis (Japan) Shintaro Ishihara Governor

Governor Shintaro Ishihara was elected to the House of Councilors for the first time in l968, and to the House of Representatives in 1972 (elected eight consecutive times). He has served as the Minister of State, Director-General of the Environment Agency, and the Minister of Transport.

He was elected Governor of Tokyo in 1999, and re-elected to his fourth term of office in April 2011. Governor Ishihara goes unrivalled among Japan's politicians, displaying clear leadership and strategic thinking. Under the slogan of "changing Japan by changing Tokyo," which he has maintained since taking office, Governor Ishihara's actions have caught the attention of not only the citizens of Tokyo, but the whole nation.

Under the governor, Tokyo was Japan's first local government to introduce double-entry bookkeeping and accrual accounting. Tokyo is also now working on initiatives raised in its urban strategy targeting the year 2020. Goals include becoming an advanced disaster-resilient city, creating a society with independent and distributed energy through the construction of a highly efficient natural gas-fired power plant, and significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent from 2000 levels.

Tokyo has also presented its bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, hoping to use the power of sport to help restore and revive Japan from the disastrous effects of the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. In this way, Governor Ishihara continues to devote his energies to invigorating Japan and taking Tokyo to further heights.

Tunis Governorate (Tunisia) Adel Ben Hassan Governor

H.E Adel Ben HASSAN is the Governor of Tunis Capital City since April 1st, 2011.

In 1988 , H.E Mr Adel Ben HASSAN had his Bachelor's Degree in Public Law and then in 1990 he succeeded the first year of His Post-Graduate Diploma in the same studies.

He is also graduated from the National Defense Institute.

He joinined the Tunisian National School for Civil Servants in 1993 where he graduated in Management Control at the top of his class.

He started his Administrative career as Deputy Controller of Public Services in the same year.

From 1994, he was promoted in various top positions in the Administrative Tribunal of Tunis, where he got his promotion as Adviser in the said Tribunal in 2000.

He teached Administrative Law at the High Accounting Institute (1995-1996) and Administrative Law Litigation at the Tunisian National School for Civil Servants.

In 2002, H.E Mr. Adel Ben HASSAN joined the Ministry of Tourism, trade and Handicrafts in the position of First Vice-President of the Council in charge of Competition.

He was therefore appointed on October 11th, 2005, Head of the Minister's Office of Youth, Sport and Physical Education.

He was Member's Board of the " Societé de Promotion du Sport" and also Member of the Council of Establishment of the " National City of Sports".

In 2009, he was promoted as Commissioner of State at the Administrative Tribunal.

He was then appointed, at the Ministry of Finances, as President of the Consultative Committee in charge of examination petition of on taxes.

In September 2010, , H.E Adel Ben HASSAN was designated President of the Chamber of First Instance in the Administrative Tribunal.

Mr. Adel Ben HASSAN was born in May 28th, 1964 and he is father of two children.

Adelaide (Australia) Stephen Yarwood Mayor

Stephen is the City of Adelaide's youngest-ever Lord Mayor. A town planner with nearly 20 years' experience in state and local government, Stephen has dedicated his professional life to developing cities.

Stephen is working to make Adelaide a modern, vibrant and sustainable place to do business, live and enjoy life. He believes an economy based on innovation, education, arts and culture will make Adelaide prosperous. He is also encouraging strong working relationships between all levels of government, as well as business and the general community.

Stephen has an MBA, as well as post-graduate qualifications in Regional and Urban Planning and Environmental Studies. He has also lectured in planning and management in several countries.

Ahmedabad (India) Hasit Vora Mayor

Hasit Vora Mayor of Ahmedabad, the seventh largest city in India with a population of 6 million people and area of 466 sq km, has been very active in public life in various capacities for more than two decades. He is a Manager, Corporate Affairs by profession.

Hasit Vora has been elected to the City Govt of Ahmedabad continuously since last five terms. Every time he has been elected with very high margin of votes. During his tenure as Municipal Councillor of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, he has held many positions as the Chairman of
Health Committee (1989-91)
Octroi Committee (1995-97)
P:roperty Tax Committee (1997-99)
Roads & Building Committee (1999-2000)
Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (2005-08)
Standing Committee (2008-10)

Hasit Vora's core strength is his leadership ability to transform the capacities of team in focusing on the Municipal Corporation's development priorities. His inputs have been instrumental to develop the Bus Rapid Transit System as one of the most efficient public transport system in India. The initiative taken under his leadership brought the laurels to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation with the International Award of the Sustainable Transport System 2010 (Transportation Research Board(TRB) at Washington in 2010 and also the National Award for the Best Innovation Project in Urban Mobility through Technological Innovation in 2010.

Hasit Vora's on hand experience and leadership for making inclusive policies have enabled him to articulate and lead the policy making body of the City Government of Ahmedabad the Standing Committee, as its Chairman in 2008-10 and now Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation as Mayor of the City since Oct 2010.

The transformations in the areas of Public Transport, Lake Front Development, River Front Development, and Housing for Urban Poor which Hasit Vora lead during his tenure at the Standing Committee, and Mayor, Ahmedabad, have brought accolades to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation as the Best Performing City in India- Nagar Ratna Award 2011,which was conferred by the President of India (2011) in July 2011.

Batam (Indonesia) H. Ahmad Dahlan Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Bilbao (Spain) Ibone Bengoetxea Deputy Mayor

Mrs. Bengoetxea is Deputy Mayor, Councilor of Culture and Education and Coordinator of Cultural Policies, Education and Leisure at Bilbao City Council. Between 2003 and 2007 she was Circulation and Transport Councilor and in 2011 was named President of EUDEL (Association of Basque Municipalities). She has had too various professional responsibilities in the field of transport – railway and metro – such as custommer service, marketing and communication. Part of her professional work has been developed in the field of social services and family psycologist.

Psycologist and entitled Professor of Solfège and Piano. She speaks four languages: Spanish, Basque, English and French.

Brisbane (Australia) Cr. Angela Owen-Taylor Deputy to the Lord Mayor on International Relations & Multicultural Affairs

Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor was elected as the inaugural Councillor for Parkinson Ward in 2008 and re-elected in April 2012.

A long term community advocate, Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor has lived in the local community she represents for almost 30 years.

Professionally, Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor is a Certified Practicing Accountant and has worked at all levels of Government as well as in the corporate sector.

Her roles have encompassed senior management and Financial Controller positions, Ministerial and political advisory, as well as University lecturing in Masters of Business and Masters of Professional Accounting.

Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor actively supports many multicultural groups across the City of Brisbane and enthusiastically promotes economic prospects through Brisbane's Sister City agreements and International opportunities.

Buenos Aires (Argentina) Mauricio Macri Mayor

Born in Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri received his degree in Civil Engineering from the Catholic University of Argentina. He furthered his education in Economy and Finance, both in Argentina and abroad.

Mayor Macri made his political debut in 2001, when he founded the Fundación Creer y Crecer (Believe and Grow Foundation) a public policy think-tank. In 2003, he founded the Compromiso para el Cambio (Commitment to Change) party. He also served in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, Mayor Macri ran successfully for Mayor of the City of Buenos Aires, winning decisively with 61 percent of the votes. He was re-elected as Mayor of the City of Buenos Aires in 2011 with over 64 percent of votes.

Mayor Macri is married with four children.

Busan (South Korea) Baek Un-hyeon Vice Mayor (Political Affairs)

Mr. Baek, Un-hyeon is the Vice Mayor for Political Affairs of Busan Metropolitan City, after serving as the Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission in 2011.

He held the positions of Assistant Minister, Director General and Deputy Chief at the Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MOPAS) of the Republic of Korea from 2007 to 2009. Prior to this, Mr. Baek worked for the city government after passing the Higher Civil Service Examination in 1977. His numerous positions at the Busan Metropolitan City included Assistant Mayor, Secretary General of the Busan Metropolitan Council Secretariat, Director General of the Administration and Management Bureau, Director General of the Planning Bureau and Spokesperson.

Mr. Baek holds a Ph.D and M.A. in Public Administration and a B.A. in Business Administration.

He was awarded the Order of Service Merit (Red Stripes) in 1995.

Cape Town (South Africa) Alderman Dirk Smit Speaker of the Council of the City of Cape Town

Alderman Smit is qualified in industrial engineering and is a Member of the Institute of Industrial Engineering. He has also studied Political Science and, via the University of South Africa (UNISA), Local Government and Administration.

Alderman Smit has held various positions throughout his career as a politician. His political career commenced with the National Party as Youth Leader and then as National Party Leader in the Regional Province. He went on to become a Member of the Provincial Parliament of Gauteng where he also served as the Chairperson of a Standing Committee.

He later became the Leader of City Councillors to unite various political parties as an interim Council after the release of Mr Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC).

During his term as Councillor he was elected as Deputy Mayor and then as Mayor of the City of Alberton. Throughout his illustrious career, he served his community as the Chairperson on School Boards, Chairperson of the Child and Family Care Association, Chairperson of the ACVV, Chairperson of the Afrikaanse Sakekamer (Chamber of Commerce) and the Chairperson of the Central Sports Committee in Alberton.

He received the "Lectori Salutem" Award for service to his Community in 1992 and again in 1995. A street was named "Dirk Smit Street" in his honour in the City of Alberton. He was awarded Aldermanship in recognition of his tireless community service to the people of Alberton.

When Alderman Smit relocated to Cape Town, he became a member of the Council, serving as a Proportional Councillor. He was subsequently elected as Speaker of the City of Cape Town and is currently serving his sixth year in this position.

As the Speaker, he is the Chairperson of the Council and he is also Chairperson of the Appeals Authority of Council.

Alderman Smit is currently the Chairperson of the SALGA Speakers' Forum.

Dirk Smit is married to Elna Smit and they have five children: Quintin has followed in his father's footsteps as a politician, while Lieze has followed in her mother's footsteps and is currently a teacher. Heleen is a psychologist, Daniella is a licensed pilot and Servaas is currently a Law student.

Alderman Smit enjoys game hunting when his busy schedule allows and is a rugby enthusiast.

Central District (Singapore) Sam Tan Chin Siong Mayor

Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong was born in 1958. Mr Tan began his career at the People's Association and undertook various leadership positions in developing social development and the youth (1983 to 1992). From 1992, he was the Executive Director of the Chinese Development Assistance Council and was promoted to Executive Director in 1997. He then served as Chief Executive Officer of Business China from 2007 to 2009. For his outstanding contributions, Mr Tan was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2002.

In 2006, Mr Tan was elected Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC. He was subsequently appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry, and Information, Communications and the Arts in July 2009. In November 2010, he was promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary for both portfolios.

On 21 May 2011, he was appointed as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Foreign Affairs. He was appointed the Mayor of the Central Singapore District on 27 May 2011.

Changzhi (China) Wang Weiqing Vice-Mayor

Wang Weiqing, female, born in Nov. 1963 in Pingyao County, Shanxi Province in China. She has been studying in Taiyuan Technology University, Tianjin Finance & Economics Institute and Changjiang Commerce Institute. She obtained the Bachelor of Science Degree, Master of Economics and Master of Business Administration Degree. She is now working as the Executive Vice Mayor of Changzhi Municipal People's Government.

Cincinnati (United States) Mark L. Mallory Mayor

Mayor Mark Mallory was sworn in as the 68th Mayor of Cincinnati December 1, 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. His election marked a new era for City Hall as the first two-term Mayor under the City's new Stronger-Mayor system, the first directly-elected black Mayor, and the first Mayor in over 70 years who did not come from City Council.

Mayor Mallory has championed the renaissance that is taking place throughout Cincinnati. His vision of a modern city that competes nationally and internationally for businesses, investment, and residents is rallying the community to produce major change. Mayor Mallory's leadership has pushed Cincinnati to pursue bold projects to transform the city and creative strategies to tackle large challenges.

Cochin (India) Tony Chammani Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Copenhagen (Denmark) Pia Allerslev Mayor of Culture and Leisure

Mrs. Pia Allerslev is the Mayor of Culture and Leisure in the City of Copenhagen. She was elected to the City Council in 2001 and was appointed as the mayor of Culture and Leisure in 2008. She believes that Culture and Leisure is a vital part of the city planning and that these elements should be a part of the long-term planning as well. Prior to politics she worked within the field of education as a teacher as well as a consultant.

Da Nang (Vietnam) Van Huu Chien Chairman

Hon. Mr. Van Huu Chien was elected to be Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee in October 2011. He graduated from College of Civil Engineering, University of Moscow, Russia. He served as Director of Da Nang Department of Transport and Public Works (1999 - 2004) and Vice Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee (2004 - 2011). In his new position as Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee, Mr. Van Huu Chien is strongly determined to develop Da Nang City following the theme:

By 2020, with a population of less than two million people, Da Nang City aims to become a city with a civilized and human-oriented urban environment, a clean natural environment and highly developed cultural life, and a developed knowledge-based economy; which is listed among the top most harmonious, friendly and safe cities; and as an attractive and a livable city.

* Five strategic orientations for socio - economic development of Da Nang City (period of 2011 - 2015)

(1) Developing service sector, particularly tourism and commercial services;

(2) Developing hi-tech industry and information technology;

(3) Developing a modern and synchronized infrastructure;

(4) Developing a healthy and cultural living environment and implementing human-oriented social policies;

(5) Developing high-quality human resources.

Dubuque (United States) Roy D. Buol Mayor

Roy D. Buol was first elected Mayor of Dubuque, Iowa, USA in November 2005 and was re-elected in November 2009. He previously served as Dubuque's Second Ward Representative on the City Council from 1995-2005. Mayor Buol is a Dubuque native and 30-year retired employee of John Deere Dubuque Works. Since 2002, he has been Director of the Landscaping & Grounds Department at the University of Dubuque. Mayor Buol holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a double-major in Business and Marketing from the University of Dubuque, where he also completed graduate coursework toward a Master of Arts in Communication.

Dezhou (China) Shi Hai Tao Vice-Mayor

Mr. Shi is the Vice Major of Dezhou city in charge of urban planning and development.

Prior to current post, Mr. Shi was the Vice Director of Fudan University's Urban Planning and Construction Institute. Before this, he was the Director of the Technology Centre of Urban Planning Bureau of Haikou Municipal Government.

Mr. Shi obtained his PhD. In Urban Planning from Tongji University in Shanghai, and Master degree in Construction Studies from Central China Science and Technology University in Wuhan.

GuangZhou (China) Liu Bao Chuan Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government

Dr. Liu Baochun was born in Suining County, Jiangsu Province, China in December 1962. He now serves as the Director General of Foreign Affairs Office, Guangzhou Municipal People's Government.

Dr. Liu has worked in his current position since August 2011. He started his career as an English language teacher in 1980 at Longji Middle School in his hometown. He Joined Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office in 1991 and became the Deputy Director General in 2002. He had been elected as a deputy to the 12th and 13th People's Congress of Guangzhou.

Dr. Liu received his PhD degree of Natural Science in Environmental Science at the Graduate School of China Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2012. He received an MSc Degree in Economics at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1995, and a Master's Degree in Linguistics at South China University of Technology in 1991.

Hobart (Australia) Damon Thomas Mayor

Lord Mayor, Alderman Damon Thomas was elected to the Hobart City Council in 2009 and has held the position of Lord Mayor since October 2011.

As Lord Mayor he holds a number of positions including Chairman of the Southern Tasmanian Councils' Authority, Member of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, as well as voluntary Board positions including Chairman of the Salvation Army Development Council, Board member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and Deputy President of Hobart Meals on Wheels.

He is a qualified lawyer with an extensive professional background that has encompassed significant public and private sector senior executive, director and statutory roles.  His achievements include appointments as Tasmanian Crown Solicitor, State Ombudsman and Health Complaints Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) Nguyen Huu Tin Vice Chairman

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tin is the Vice Chairman (Vice Mayor) of Ho Chi Minh City's People's Committee. He was appointed as the Vice Chairman from 2004 to 2008 and was re-elected again in August 2011.

He served as Director General from 2001 to 2004 and Deputy Director from 1997 to 2001 in Department of Planning and Investment.

He is now in charge of urban planning and management. He is working to make Ho Chi Minh City a vibrant, liveable and sustainable city in Southeast Asia. He has a special interest in international cooperation to deal with the city challenges such as climate change, flooding and environmental pollution.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tin was born in October 2012. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in Development Economics.

Jilin City (China) Wang Zhi Hou Vice-Mayor

Mr.Wang Zhihou, he was born on Nov.1963, master degree. He had been Vice Secretary-in-General and Secretary-in-General of Jilin City Yang League, Deputy Party Secretary of Panshi city ( county-level), Deputy Party Secretary of Jiaohe city ( county level), Mayor of Jiaohe City ( county level). Party Secretary of Jiaohe City. Now is vice Mayor of Jilin Municipal Government and in charge of Jilin Food Zone Project.

Kuching North (Malaysia) Datuk Haji Abang Abdul Wahap Bin Haji Abang Julai Mayor

Datuk Haji Abang Abdul Wahap Bin Haji Abang Julai is the sixth mayor of Kuching North City Commission and was conferred on Aug 1, 2011.

He was born on May 31, 1951.

He is the eldest of nine siblings.

He received his education at Haji Bolhassan Primary School before continuing his secondary education at St Thomas Secondary School, Kuching.

Upon completion of his secondary school education, he worked as a teacher before becoming a Probationary Police Inspector in 1970. His love for the job carried him for 37 years from 1970 to 2007.

Abdul Wahap received his Advance Diploma in Police Science at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 1989, and Bachelor of Law (LLB) (Honours) from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) in 1994.

Abdul Wahap served a State Deputy Police Commissioner of Sarawak from 2002 until 2005.

His last post with the police was as Director of Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) at Bukit Aman Police HQ, Kuala Lumpur and retired in 2007.

In 2007, he was awarded the 'Panglima Gagah Pasukan Police" (PGPP), the highest award in Malaysian Police Force and 'Panglima Jasa Negara" (PJN) which carries the title "Datuk" by His Majesty Yang Di Pertuan Agong, King of Malaysia.

He is married to Datin Dayang Horiah Datuk Abang Zainuddin on Sept 9, 1979 and they are blessed with three daughters and a son.

Makassar (Indonesia) Ilham Arief Sirajuddin Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Malmo (Sweden) Ilmar Reepalu Mayor

Ilmar Reepalu was born 1943 in Estonia. He holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Architecture from Chalmers University and a Supplementary Degree in Architecture from the Royal University College of Fine Arts. From 1970-1985 he worked as architect in Gothenburg specialising in sustainable city planning. From 1985-1994 he was Vice Mayor of Malmö. Since 1994 he is Chairman of the City Executive Board and Lord Mayor. From 1999-2007 he was President of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, and since 2007 he is its Vice President. He also is member of the Policy Committee of the Council for European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) since 2001. He is a member of the EU Committee of Regions since 2007 and the chairman of its Commission for Climate, Environment and Energy (ENVE).

Moscow (Russia) Andrei Sharonov Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Economic Policy

Graduated as an engineer from Ufa State Aviation Technical University and as a lawyer from Russian Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation (RAPA). PhD in Social Studies.

In 1989 – 1991 Member of the Soviet Parliament, Congress of People's deputies of the USSR. In 1991 – 1996 First Minister of Youth Affairs. In 1997 – 2007 Deputy Minister, State Secretary and First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. In 2007 – 2010 Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Troika Dialog (Private Investment Company).

Was a member of the boards at Russian Railways, Sheremetyevo International Airport JSC Mostotrest, RAO "UES of Russia", JSC TRANSNEFT, Russian Venture Company, JSC "OGK-2", INTER RAO, Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy System, RusHydro Group and JSC Aeroflot Russian Airlines.

Andrei Sharonov was awarded an "Aristos" prize in the "Independent Director" category in 2009, and was named ""Director of the Year" in the same category.

Since 2010, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Economic Policy, in charge of budgeting industrial and city business development, as well as competition and public procurement policy, trade and services. Head of a regional tariff regulator.

New York City (United States) The Honourable Adrian Benepe Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, New York City, United States

Adrian Benepe has worked for over 30 years protecting and enhancing New York City's natural and historic beauty. He has continued this effort as Commissioner of the Department of Parks & Recreation, appointed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on January 25, 2002. In this role he has focused on improving park facilities and programs for children, developing new waterfront parks and greenways, and making New York City bloom with millions of new flowers and hundreds of gardens.

Commissioner Benepe started his Parks & Recreation career in 1973 as a teenage seasonal helper in East River Park on Manhattan's Lower East Side, picking up litter and mopping locker rooms. After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont, he became a member of the first corps of Parks & Recreation's Urban Park Rangers in 1979. From 1979 to 1990, he served in a number of different capacities at Park & Recreation. Following his time as a Ranger stationed in Central Park, he took on a variety of positions ranging from Director of Natural Resources & Horticulture (overseeing scores of restoration projects in the City's wetlands and forests) to Director of Art & Antiquities (in charge of the City's conservation and interpretation of 1,300 statues and monuments and 23 historic house museums). During this latter assignment, he helped found the Historic House Trust, a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and promote the historic house museums located in New York City parks.

From 1990 to 1993, Commissioner Benepe was the Director of the Annual Fund & Major Gifts for the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, where he expanded his knowledge of plants, trees and children's education. At the Garden, he co-founded the "Holiday Garden Railway" exhibition. From 1993 to 1995, he served as Vice President for Issues & Public Affairs for the Municipal Art Society. In that role, he managed public relations and developed strategies for public advocacy efforts in city planning, historic preservation, and public art, and he curated the "Kid City" exhibition to teach children about the built environment. After six years in the non-profit sector, he returned to Parks & Recreation in January 1996 as the Manhattan Borough Commissioner, managing Manhattan's green infrastructure of more than 300 parks, playgrounds, and malls. During his tenure he helped found the Fort Tryon Park Trust, a public-private partnership for the historic park and its Heather Garden. He served in that position until promoted to Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, where he now oversees the operation of over 29,000 acres and nearly 5,000 properties including over 1,000 playgrounds, 600 ballfields, 550 tennis courts, 63 swimming pools, 35 recreation centers, 14 miles of beach, and over 2.5 million street and park trees.

Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg, First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris and the rest of the City administration, as well as the participation of the City Council and other elected officials, the Department is currently managing the largest program of park expansion and renovation since the 1930s. A large part of the construction budget funds PlaNYC and MillionTreesNYC, Mayor Bloomberg's signature projects to green the city and develop a more sustainable future. Additionally, a steady rebuilding of the operating budget under Mayor Bloomberg has given the Department its largest workforce in decades, with over 10,000 employees at the height of the summer operating season.

During the current period of budget restraints, Commissioner Benepe and the Department will continue to work with and expand public-private partnerships, building on a remarkable network of over 400 civic organizations, 1,800 community groups and more than 65,000 individual volunteers, who donate collectively more than 1.7 million hours of volunteer labor every year to parks and gardens.

In addition to his B.A. in English Literature from Middlebury College, Adrian Benepe also earned a Master's Degree in Journalism from Columbia University, where he was awarded a Pulitzer Fellowship. In 1987, he participated in the Mayor's Top 40 Program, and in 1992 he was selected to participate in Leadership New York, a program of the Coro Foundation. Although born in New Rochelle, NY, he has lived in New York City since 1959. He lives with his wife and two sons on the Upper West Side of Manhattan where he grew up. He likes to run, walk, bicycle, and cross-country ski in Central and Riverside Parks and throughout the City's park system.

North East District (Singapore) Teo Ser Luck Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

North West District (Singapore) Teo Ho Pin Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Perth (Australia) Lisa Scaffidi Mayor

The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor Ms Lisa Scaffidi is 17th Lord Mayor of the City of Perth. Lisa has served as the Lord Mayor since October 2007 and was re-elected again for a 2nd term of 4 years on October 15th 2011. Lisa served as a Councillor for seven years from 2000. Ms Scaffidi is the first woman to have been elected to this position.

The Lord Mayor is Perth born and educated and is known for her keen focus on the city's economic development and is pro-development. She also has a career history in the hospitality industry, marketing and convention management and property development experience.

Ms Scaffidi is passionate about ensuring Perth grows and develops as a vibrant and dynamic globally connected City of regional and international significance, while retaining its unique, natural beauty and its reputation as one of the world's most liveable cities.

Quanzhou (China) Fu Chaoyang Vice-Mayor

Mr. Fu Chaoyang, with a dual-master's degree and as a senior engineer, is the vice Mayor of Quanzhou Municipal People's government, Fujian Province, China. Born at Zhuzhou, Hunan Province in November 1972, the vice Mayor has work experience at Chinese Academy of Forestry, State Scientific and Technological Commission, Department of Forestry, State Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Environmental Protection, served as secretary and director-general.

Quang Ngai City (Vietnam) Nguyen Tang Binh Chairman

Nguyen Tang Binh was born on 01 January 1963 in DucPho Town, Duc Pho District, Quang Ngai Province, and graduated from the Agricultural University in 1985.

My work history is as follows:

Quezon City (Philippines) Herbert Bautista Mayor

Mayor Herbert M. Bautista is one of the youngest officials of the Philippines who have had a long and fruitful experience in government and the youth movement. He was Vice Mayor of Quezon City for 12 years, prior to his present position.

He is known as a pioneer and progressive advocate of solutions for environment issues and climate change. Under his leadership, Quezon City became the first city in the Philippines to implement a Green Building Ordinance, enforcing sustainable building designs throughout the city. Quezon City keeps track of its carbon emissions and reports this regularly to the carbonn Cities Climate Registry(cCCR), as part of its commitment to the Mexico City Pact. He is also leading the city to reduce its carbon footprint through lower electricity and resource consumption, by promoting the shift of public facilities towards alternative energy sources and wider installation of systems for resource reuse.

Mayor Bautista's urban development framework is anchored on environment management and disaster-risk reduction. The city's housing and resettlement program is consistent with this approach, prioritizing the movement of the poor from danger areas towards new townships, a project he is implementing in multiples, in collaboration with the private sector and national government agencies.

Saskatoon (Canada) Donald J. Atchison Mayor

Mayor Donald Atchison was first elected to Saskatoon City Council in 1994 and served as councillor up to his election as Mayor in 2003. He was re-elected as Mayor in 2006 and again in 2009.

Mayor Atchison believes family and teamwork are essential principles in his role as Mayor of Saskatoon. He strives to see all sides of the issues, to work in partnership to create the greatest benefit for all citizens of Saskatoon. Complementing this is the Mayor's business sense, the realization that to progress, decisions have to be made and action taken. Mayor Atchison's leadership philosophy is evident in major projects which involved the City, both school boards, different levels of government, volunteer groups and corporate donors. Two nationally and internationally renowned examples are the Shaw Centre and the SaskTel Sports Centre. In addition, after decades of study and debate, River Landing, Saskatoon's signature downtown development, is under way.

In recognition of his work, Mayor Atchison has received a number of honours, including being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; the Medal of Merit by the International Association of Lions Clubs; the Saskatchewan Centennial Award; and the Consumer Choice "Man of the Year" Award.

Serebang Perai Municipal Council(Malaysia) Mohd Hairay Bin Md Yusof Treasury Director

Stay tuned for more information!

Seberang Perai Municipal Council (Malaysia) Mohd Hairay Bin Md Yusof Treasury Director

Mr. Mohd Hairay is the Treasury Director of Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP). Began his career as an auditor in Kuala Lumpur. He also had an experience working in Banking Industry with specialization in Bank Operation and Finance. He joined The Municipal Council in 1993 as an Accountant and he has 18 years experience in Local Government Financial Management. Mr. Mohd Hairay is the member of Chartered Accountants, Malaysia Institute of Accountants (MIA) since June 2001. He is also occasionally invited to give lecture at local universities particularly in the field of Public Sector Accounting and Local Government. He presented various papers at local and international Public Sector conferences and forums.

Mr. Mohd Hairay's remarkable contributions towards Municipal Finance have earned MPSP to Top 3, National Financial Management Innovation Award 2010, Penang Local Government Innovation Award 2010 and Penang Financial Management Quality Award, 2009.

Shah Alam (Malaysia) Mohd Jaafar bin Mohd Atan Mayor

Dato' Hj. Mohd Jaafar bin Hj. Mohd Atan, 57, was sworn in as Shah Alam's sixth mayor in April 2011, succeeding Datuk Mazalan Md Noor, whose term ended on March 31.

Mohd Jaafar graduated with a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and started his career as a town and country planning officer in Malacca in 1980.

He was appointed as the Seremban City Council president as well as the Town and Country Planning Department state chief in Negeri Sembilan and later Selangor.

Mohd Jaafar has a Masters in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management Manila in the Philippines, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Studies from the University of Manchester.

South East District (Singapore) Dr. Mohamad Maliki Osman Mayor

Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman was born in Singapore in 1965.

Dr Maliki graduated with his Bachelor and Masters degrees from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He obtained his doctorate in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998 and became an Assistant Professor at the NUS Department of Social Work and Psychology that year.

Dr Maliki was elected a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in 2001. He was re-elected for a second term in May 2006.

Dr Maliki served as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development Youth and Sports (MCYS) from Aug 2004 to Jun 2006 and the Ministry of Health (MOH) from Aug 2004 to Oct 2005. He moved on to become Parliamentary Secretary for Minister of National Development (MND), and was promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary on 1 November 2010.

Dr Maliki was elected as one of the MPs for the East Coast GRC in the 2011 General Elections. He was re-appointed as the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development. He was concurrently appointed as the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence. Dr Maliki was also appointed the Mayor for the Southeast District by the People's Association (PA).

Dr Maliki serves as Chairman of the Community Improvement Projects Committee in the Ministry of National Development. He is also the Deputy President of SAFRA. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the REACH Panel and the National Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation Committee (NYGR). He also serves on the Board of the National Community Leadership Institute (NACLI).

At the community level, Dr Maliki is Advisor to the Centre for Promoting Alternative to Violence (PAVe) and ADAM Association.

Dr Maliki is married with two children, a girl and a boy. He spends most of his leisure time with his wife and children, going out to the movies or to the library. He plays badminton and golf regularly to keep himself fit and healthy and performs on the Guzheng to raise funds for charity.

Taichung (Taiwan) Jason Hu Mayor

Mr. Jason Hu serves as Mayor of Taichung City (Taiwan). He has served as Mayor of the City of Taichung since 2001. Previous experience has included serving as the Deputy Director of the First Bureau, Office of the President (1991); Member, National Assembly (1996); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997); and Deputy Secretary General, Kuomintang (KMT) Party (2000). Mr. Hu has received numerous awards, including Best Government Spokesman Award (1993); The Top Ten Chinese Award (1994); and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southampton, England (1997). Mr. Hu holds a BA from National Cheng-Chi University, Taiwan, a MS from the University of Southampton, England, and a PhD in Philosophy from Oxford University, England.

Taoyuan (Taiwan) John Wu Chih-Yang Magistrate

Mr. Chih-Yang Wu has served as the County Mayor of Taoyuan County since 2009, being the youngest mayor among all cities in Taiwan. He leads the county with the youngest population, averaging 35 years of age, to engage in construction and development, in order to fulfill his vision of having "love and harmony" all around us. County Mayor Wu graduated from National Taiwan University, Faculty of Law and College of Law. Then, he completed his Master in Harvard Law School of Harvard University, and obtained the license for Attorney. Before entering politics, he was a practicing lawyer, and the lecturer of Taoyuan Innovation Institute of Technology and Chung Yuan Christian University. In addition, he was elected as the legislator for 2 terms, specializing in internal affairs and legal matters.

Tashkent (Uzbekistan) Shamurat Muhamedjanov Deputy Mayor of Tashkent city, Chairman of Toshshakhartranskhizmat

Mr Mukhamedjanov has been serving as a Deputy Mayor of Tashkent city since 2004. He is the Deputy of the Tashkent City's Council of People's Deputies and the Chairman of municipal public transport company "Toshshakhartranskhizmat".

Born in Tashkent in 1948, Mr Mukhamedjanov graduated from the Tashkent Automobile and Roads Institute in 1973 specializing in Mechanical Engineering.

Mr Mukhamedjanov is an Honored Worker of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and has a Breast Badges for the 10th, 15th and 20th Anniversaries of the Independence of Republic of Uzbekistan.

Started his career in 1969 as a car mechanic in a municipal transport company, Mr Mukhamedjanov through his dedicated work in urban public transport system was promoted to the post of the Chairman of "Toshshakhartranskhizmat" company. "Toshshakhartranskhizmat" unites more than 70 large transport companies in Tashkent, including bus operators, tram depots, subway, taxi operators, private operators and the infrastructural enterprises, as well as gasoline stations in the city.

During his leadership, large-scale works have been done for the development of the Tashkent's public transport system: fleet of the bus operators was renewed by purchasing more than 1000 new modern and comfortable "Mercedes-Benz" buses, that meet the requirement of Euro 3 and 4 standards, about 700 "ISUZU" buses and 150 trams. Six stations were also constructed on a new 6.4 kilometer subway line.

Mr Mukhamedjanov has been paying a special attention to the problems of air pollution that is a significant environmental problem for most of cities worldwide.

Thane Municipal Corporation (India) Harichandra Patil Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Tianjin Eco-city Administrative Committee (China) Lin Xuefeng Vice Chairman

Mr Lin Xuefeng, male, was born in 1966. He holds a Master of Urban Planning Studies and a Ph.D. in Management Studies from the Tianjin University. Mr Lin is also a Senior Planner and a National Certified Planner. He is current serving as the Vice Chairman of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city Administrative Committee, as well as the Vice President of the Chinese Society of Urban Studies' Committee on Eco-City Research.

Tianjin Binhai New Area (China) Zheng Weiming Vice District Chief

Mr Zheng Weiming, male, was born in 1973. He holds a Master and Ph.D in Political Science from the Renmin University of China School of International Relations. Presently, Mr Zheng is serving as the Vice District Chief of the Tianjin Binhai New Area People's Government, overseeing various portfolios such as environmental protection, city landscaping, civil administration, assistance of the handicapped, cultural and religious affairs.

Tsu City (Japan) Yasuyuki Maeba Mayor

Yasuyuki Maeba, born in 1962, was elected as the Mayor of Tsu City in April 2011.

Highly experienced in the field of local finance business and administration, he has previously held positions as Head of Credit for Japan Finance Corporation for Municipalities, as well as Deputy Branch Manager of DEXIA Crédit Local Tokyo Branch.

During his 20-years of work at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, he has been placed in-charge of the local finance, tax and administration system; and was also seconded to various local authorities including Miyagi, Kumamoto and Gunma Prefecture and the City of Kyoto.

Vienna (Austria) Walter Kling Deputy Head of the Vienna Waterworks

Walter Kling was born in Vienna, Austria on the 21st March 1958. He decided to study environmental engineering with a special focus on water-management and in 1986 enrolled at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. For the diploma thesis he worked on research in the USA for a half year.

Immediately after completing his civil service he started to work at the Municipal Department 31 of the City of Vienna, better known as Vienna Waterworks. Working on different projects and tasks within Vienna Waterworks he had to pass through various departments within the organisation. In 2001 he was appointed as Deputy Managing Director of Vienna Waterworks, a position which he still stays on.

Following his interest in the international context of water-management, Walter Kling joined the work of the Austrian Waterworks Association and in 1993 he was delegated to represent Vienna within IWSA. Since the launch of IWA in 2000, Walter Kling supported the development of the new association in his region of East Europe by organising a number of events. Maintaining an excellent network of contacts he applied to organize the IWA-World Water Congress 2008 in Vienna. Starting from 2003, the Congress President Walter Kling served with great commitment to secure best circumstances for IWA, IAWD and the City of Vienna to run a successful conference. For the period 2006 to 2008 he joined the IWA Board of Directors as the incoming Congress President.

An important background for this supporting work was his role as the General Secretary of IAWD (International Association of Waterworks in the Danube Catchment Area) which he started in 1993. Founded by an initiative of the Mayor of Vienna, IAWD is a long-term partner of IWA in various activities. Following the interest of Vienna to play an active role in the international water business, Walter Kling took the duty to represent water issues also within CEMR and the Water Committee of UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments).

Vientiane Capital (Laos) Keophilavanh Aphaylath Vice Mayor

His Exellency Keophilavanh Aphaylath – Vice Governor of Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R was born on 10 July 1957. He was studied at Vientiane High school in 1979. Then he studied the high ranging degree on Engineering and Architecture at the High Rank Building Construction School since 1979 – 1982. He graduated in bachelor degree on City Environment from Canada in 2001. Since 1999 – 2000 studied pre- master degree on City – Planning in Thailand. In year 2010 graduated in Master degree on City – Planning at Architectural School, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R.

In 1995, Mr. Keophilavanh was appointed as the director of the Institute of City – Planning, Ministry of Public works and Transportation. Then in 2007, he was appointed as the director of the Institute of Public works and Transportation, Ministry of Public works and Transportation. Up to year 2010, he was appointed as the director of the Department of Public works and Transportation of Vientiane Capital and now he is the Vice – Governor of Vientiane Capital.

Wellington (New Zealand) Celia Wade-Brown Mayor

Celia Wade-Brown grew up in London and spent a year working abroad in West Africa, before embarking on a career in IT programming, consultancy and teaching. Arriving in Wellington 1983, Celia served as a Wellington City Councillor from 1994 and was elected Mayor in 2010 on a platform of community engagement, clean technology development and good transport policies.

Her vision for Wellington focuses on making the most of all our resources: great infrastructure, beautiful natural environment, compact city centre and suburban villages, and our inclusive and creative population – making sure Wellington stays a great place to live, work and visit.

Yokohama (Japan) Nobuya Suzuki Deputy Mayor

Mr. Nobuya Suzuki was born in 1955, and entered the employment of the City of Yokohama in 1978. Since then, he has been in charge of the projects including housing policy planning of the City and redevelopment of the Yokohama station areas, experiencing urban planning in the midst of close ties with the regional community. Afterwards, he has held the posts of Director-General of Housing and Architecture Bureau before assuming office as Deputy Mayor in April 2012.

Zhanjiang (China) Wang Zhongbing Mayor

Mr. Wang Zhongbing, Mayor of Zhanjiang Municipal People's Government, was born in 1963 September in Hubei province of China. Before he became Mayor, he was the Executive Deputy Mayor of Zhanjiang from 2008 July to 2011 July. Prior to serving in Zhanjiang, he held the positions of Director of Huadu District of Guangzhou City (2002.12-2007.8) and Deputy Director of Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Committee (2007.8-2008.7) successively. Before entering politics, he had worked in iron and steel industry for around 20 years and been promoted from an engineer to Executive Deputy General Manager of Guangzhou Zhujiang Iron and Steel Company Ltd. step by step.

As a PhD of engineering, Mayor Wang Zhongbing has his own philosophy in city management. He is passionate about developing Zhanjiang into a vibrant modern international City by balancing economic prosperity and environment protection.

Zunyi (China) Tian Gang Vice-Mayor

Personal Resume of Tian Gang

Name: Tian Gang

Gender：male 

Date of birth： May 15, 1962

Position: Vice Mayor of Zunyi Municipal People's Government

Education：Guizhou Agricultural College

Professional: Fruit professional

Education: Bachelor degree

Main experience:

Vancouver (Canada) Gregor Robertson Mayor

Gregor Robertson was elected Mayor of Vancouver in November 2008 and is currently serving his second term. He was re-elected to continue progress on ending street homelessness, addressing housing affordability, improving public transit, and making Vancouver the greenest city in the world.

He spearheaded the creation of Vancouver's first comprehensive Economic Action Strategy which focuses on low-carbon, high-growth industries such as clean technology, renewable energy and digital media.

Building on the successful legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics, which has generated over $350 million in economic impact and more than 3000 new jobs, Mayor Robertson has established Vancouver internationally as the Green Capital—a City where going green is good for business.

Hanoi (Vietnam) Nguyen The Thao Chairman

He was born on March 21, 1952 in Nhan Hoa commune, Que Vo district, Bac Ninh province. In 1970, he has successfully completed in Architecture and PhD in Economics in Poland.

When he came back his home country in 1977, he started his career as an Architect at The Construction company N05. After 7 years hardworking in No5 Contruction company, he was moved to the Construction Company. Then, he was appointed as Director of the Department of Construction of Bac Ninh province. In December 1994, Mr. Nguyen The Thao was elected to Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province. After that, he joined in Party Committee and became a member of the Permanent Committee. In 1999 he was nominated for Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province.

In April 2001, he was a member of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Vietnam, ninth tenure, and Deputy to the 11th and 12th National Assemblies and Head of the National Assembly Deputy Delegation of Bac Ninh province. To August 2007, Mr. Nguyen The Thao became Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the People's Council of Bac Ninh province. With over 30 years experience on working in governmental acgency, At the 10th session of the Hanoi People's Council, eighth tenure, he was elected as Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee.

Shenzhen City (China) Tang Jie Vice-Mayor

Mr. Tang Jie, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government

Mr. Tang Jie was born in July 1955 in Deyang, Sichuan province. He obtained postgraduate diploma in Political Economy at Nankai University. He is PhD holder, research fellow, and PhD supervisor.

Taipei (Taiwan) Chen Wei-Zen Deputy Mayor

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Graduate School of Planning and Urban Design, Chinese Culture University
• MA, Department of Civil & Engineering, University of Washington, U.S A. MA in Engineering, Graduate School of Planning and Urban Design,, Chinese Culture University

WORKING EXPERIENCE

Seoul City (South Korea) Han Kook-Young Director General of Industry & Economy Planning

Stay tuned for more information!

Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council (Sri Lanka) Dhanasiri Amarathunga Mayor

His Worship Dhanasiri Amarathunga is the current Mayor of Dehiwala – Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council and has an MBA from the California State University, USA.

He is an elected member of the Dehiwala Municipal Council (DMMC). He was first elected to the DMMC as a Municipal Councillor in 1997.

Thereafter, in 2002 he was re-elected polling the highest number of preferential votes from among 35 candidates from the United National Party (UNP). He was appointed the Mayor and served until 2006. He was the youngest to be elected a Mayor.

In the election held in 2006 he was once again re-elected with the second highest preferential votes. He was appointed as Deputy Mayor.

Due to political victimasation, Mr.Amarathunga had to leave the United National Party (UNP) and resigned from his post as Deputy Mayor in 2009.

He joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) under the leadership of His Excellency President MahindaRajapakse. He was appointed the Chief SLFP organiser for the Electoral District of Dehiwala in 2009.

In the local government elections held in August 2011, Mr. DhanasiriAmarathunga polled a record 25,000+ preferential votes and was elected the Mayor for the Second time.

Mr. Amarathunga is married to Natasha. He is blessed with two beautiful daughters. He is a practising Buddhist and a teetotaller. He commands the respect and love of all races and communities in Dehiwala – Mt Lavinia.

Barcelona (Spain) Antoni Vives Deputy Mayor

Antoni Vives i Tomàs was born in Barcelona in 1965. He has a degree in Business Science, specialised in marketing and international trade, and has developed most of his professional career in private companies.

He was General Secretary for the Government of the Generalitat de Catalunya (1999-2003), and subsequently Director of the Ramon Trias Fargas Foundation (2003-2007).

Currently is a Deputy Mayor for Urban Habitat, an area that includes urbanism, town planning, housing, infrastructures, environment and urban services and ICT. He is also Vice President of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and Councillor for the City District of Les Corts.

He is Senior Advisor for the Prince of Asturias Professorship of Spanish Studies of the London School of Economics.

Montreux (Switzerland) Laurent Wehrli Mayor

Since 2010, Laurent Wehrli is the Mayor of Montreux (Switzerland), after 10 years as Councilman of the city.

He is also :

• vice-president of the Parliament of the Canton of Vaud;
• vice-president of the Tourism Board of the Canton de Vaud;
• president of the SwissFire Association;
• president of Pro Familia, the Swiss organization for the families

Laurent Wehrli holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree from the University of Lausanne, and has been awarded with the White House Prize for his historical research on international diplomatic relations.

Laurent Wehrli was born in 1965. He is married and the father of five children.

Al Qassim (Saudi Arabia) Ahmed Saleh Al Sultan Mayor

He has got a bachelor's degree in the field of Applied Civil Engineering, with honors from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in 1982, and holds a master's degree in Engineering and Construction Management from King Fahd University of Petroleum andMinerals in 1989. he published a range of research on the management of construction and was published in referred Journals.

In 1982, he has completed a training program in the applications of different branches of civil engineering with Chiyoda Japanese company for 7 months. Had a training course  at the department of water and sanitation of South California in the United States in 1494. And attended the International Visitor Program in the United States in 2008, and has a number of training courses in civil engineering and value engineering of specialized institutes.

He gradual advanced in the governmental work from 1987 as he assigned as Maintenance and Operation Director in the Department of Water and Sanitation in Qassim region in 1990. And in 1992 assigned as a Director General of the Projects in the same facility. In 1995, assigned as the Mayor of Buraydah Muncipility, till he has been assigned to be the Mayor of Qassim region since 2003 till now. In 2005 he was elected as the President of the Municipal Council in Qassim region for two years.

Muntinlupa (Philippines) Aldrin L. San Pedro Mayor

An advocate of good governance through participatory, responsive, equitable, transparent and effective kind of leadership, Mayor San Pedro, assures that the present and future needs of his constituents are being responded to. His leadership takes into account that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making and their interests are considered.

He is oftentimes referred to as a catalyst of change – providing meaningful service to the city's residents.

Dubbed as the D Original "Mr. Libreng Tubig", he has undertaken remarkable programs and projects that directly benefit the people of the City of Muntinlupa.

Having in his heart and mind his personal slogan "Tuluy-tuloy at pantay na serbisyo, the "Libreng Tubig" Program has been the forefront in ensuring that Muntinlupa residents, regardless of their socio-economic status, have clean and potable water. Every day, City Mayor's office receives hundreds of requests for free water from families in Muntinlupa's nine (9) barangays.

His strong adherence to the value of discipline in promoting development is desired to be instilled on the constituents through his adage, "Muntinlupa…..Nagkakaisa….May Disiplina!, This brings positive impact for business groups to invest in the City of Muntinlupa, for it ensures a peaceful community and highly disciplined work force.

Aldrin finished his primary education and his secondary education at Saint Francis School in San Pedro Laguna. He graduated from San Sebastian College of Manila with Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Management.

After graduation, he pursued his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Santo Tomas. He completed his course on "Driving Government Performance" from the Harvard Kennedy School in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

The Leadership skills of Aldrin were already evident at a very young age, both in the school and in the community. In 1992, at young age of eighteen (18), he was elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman in Barangay Bayanan, Municipality of Muntinlupa. In 1995, at the age of twenty (20) he was appointed by former President Fidel V. Ramos as a Municipal Councilor of the Sangguniang Bayan of Muntinlupa. On the same year, he triumphantly won the local elections and emerged as the youngest city councilor in the whole country at the age of twenty one (21). He was re-elected as City Councilor in 1998 and 2001 and even got the highest votes among all councilors in Districts I and II. His life is strikingly a candid portrait of a leader who, in his early life, has learned to optimize his intellectual and political gifts in serving the public.

As a public servant, he has received numerous awards, among which include: The Outstanding SK Chairman, The Outstanding President of the Philippine Bible Society, The Youngest Municipal Councilor in the country at age 20, The Youngest City Councilor in the country at age 21, one of the TEN YOUNG LEADERS for 2009 by the Philippine Graphics, SANDUGO Award from Philippine Blood Center and the prestigious Father Neri Satur Award for Environmental Heroism.

Another milestone in his career, Mayor Aldrin initiated a bold move to protect mother earth via his Anti-Plastic Ordinance, despite strong resistance from various groups in the business circle. For this, he was commended by notable environmental groups, such as Eco-Waste and Mother Earth Foundation.

To date, other cities have followed what the City of Muntinlupa has started in protecting our environment. Mayor Aldrin San Pedro is also an active partner in promoting the welfare of the vulnerable sector of the society as well as in pursuing developmental programs not only for his City of jurisdiction but also for the nation as a whole.

Indeed, Aldrin L. San Pedro's leadership defines Muntinlupa's role in Philippine development.

Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, still a young man and his evident success indicates that he has chosen a field for which the nature intended him.

Al Hasa (Saudi Arabia) Fahad Al Jubair Mayor

Fahad Al Jubair(born December 8, 1961) Mayor of AlHasa City – Saudi Arabia since 2004 till this day, He graduated with BSc. honors from King Saud University(KSA) in 1982, majoring in civil engineering, He also holds a diploma in projects Management from Arizona University – United States in 1986.

He has around thirty years of work experience in the field of Civil Engineering, And He has worked in several positions, He has been the Municipal Council President for eight years, to this day. He is the Vice president of the Gulf Road Engineering Society (GRES), he is a member of the National Traffic engineering committee , and he has been the chief of the National Traffic Engineering Division from 2000 to 2004,and also a member of many other international societies He's done many training programs, such as Traffic engineering and Safety in United kingdom, leadership principles and techniques – Seatle – USA, and many other.

Xining (China) Wang Yubo Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) Amarsanaa Erdenebileg Director, Foreign relation and Cooperation

Stay tuned for more information!

Bangkok (Thailand) Supachai Tantikom Advisor to Governor

He is an expert in engineering who graduated the Doctoral Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Alabama, USA. He has 20 years of experience in project management, building design, and construction supervision for various residential projects in Thailand. He is also a scholar in safety, environmental concern and Geotechnical Engineering. He has been appointed an Advisor Committee to Governor of Bangkok in charge of the environment and civil engineering issues in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). He has also held the post of Water Irrigation and Flood Prevention Project Supervisor in Bangkok and boundary areas.

Davao City (Philippines) Sara Z. Duterte Mayor

A lawyer by profession, Mayor Inday Sara, as what most of us fondly call her, is a product of the San Sebastian College - Recoletos, Manila. She is Davao City's first woman vice mayor and the first woman city mayor.

Prior to her election as the City Mayor of Davao, Mayor Inday Sara has already obtained work as a Vice Mayor and a position from the Supreme Court in Manila as Attorney IV, as a legal counsel from a number private institutions and has also worked as a legal researcher.

Nasarawa (Nigeria) Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura Governor

Umaru Tanko Al-makura, was born some 57 years ago in Lafia, Nasarawa State. He attended Dunama Primary School, Lafia, Government Teachers College, Keffi, Advanced Teachers College, Uyo, (1972-1975) and the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1975-1978), where he graduated with Bachelor of Education Degree with specialization in Social studies.

He has had a long and successful business career. After his graduation in 1978, he formed Al-makura Nigeria Limited, a civil and building engineering company which in addition imported, sold and serviced agricultural and industrial machinery.

In 1980, two years after he ventured into politics, Almakura emerged as the Youth Leader of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the then Plateau State, today's Plateau and Nasarawa State.

Prior to winning the governership election in April, 2100, Alhaji Tanko Almakura was actively occupied with Real Estate Business both in Nigeria and USA where he owns properties in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Washington DC.

He owns the prestigious Ta'al Lake Resort, Abuja, Ta'al Conference Hotel, Lafia (easily the most comprehensive hotel within the North Central Zone with the exception of FCT).

Chennai (India) Saidai S Duraisamy Worshipful Mayor

With the blessings of the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Saidai Duraisamy emerged victorious as the Mayor of the expanded Chennai City and also he is the first candidate of All India Anna Dravida Munnatra Kazhagam party to win the Mayoral election of Chennai. He is the founder and Chairman of the Manithaneyam, a free coaching centre for the top Civil Services like IAS (Indian Administrative Service) & IPS (Indian Police Service).

It provides free coaching for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission of India),TNPSC (Tamilnadu Public Service Commission) group-I and Group-II examinations and credited with helping more 1300 candidates so far to get into above services. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1984 from Saidapet constituency. He contested the Mayoral election of Chennai Corporation and became the Mayor of the city on 25.10.2011.

He runs a free marriage hall for poor people performing their family weddings and other important functions without even any fee for electricity and cleaning.

Since 1985 Mr. Saidai Duraisamy has given prime importance to people welfare activities. He has established a free photo copying machine for people. Also thousands of people get utmost benefit through the free typewriter machine established by Mr. Saidai Duraisamy.

In 2005 Chennai city experienced torrential rain and immersed with flood. Over 108424 families were distributed cash amounting to Indian Rupees one crore and with essential provisions. A centeen is being run at Saidapet, to provide food items at very low cost to help the poor people. Also the Trust provides 15 freezer boxes and a vehicle free of cost to the weaker section of the people for Funeral Procession.

Monthly stipend being given to 750 leprosy patients, differently-ables people and street dwellers.

Distrito Federal (Mexico) José Walter Vazquez Filho Secretary of Transports for Distrito Federal

Stay tuned for more information!

Palo (Philippines) Remedios L. Petilla Mayor

Remedios Loreto Petilla has been in the frontrunner for public services since 1995. She started as a Governor of the Province of Leyte in 1995 and was able to complete three terms for this elective position until 2004.

During her governorship, she became the Chairperson for the Regional Peace and Order Council, the Chairperson for the Regional Development Council and the National President for Philippine International Sisterhood and Twinning Association. She has implemented significant initiatives and improvement projects in the province on the fields of socio-economic services, tourism, health and community development, infrastructure and environment that earned her several recognitions from government and major award-giving bodies. Accordingly, the provincial government of Leyte was also a recipient of prestigious awards during her term.

After which, she was elected as Representative for the First District of Leyte Province in 2004. During her stint as member of the House of Representatives (2004-2007), she was the Vice Chairperson for Committee on Tourism and Inter-parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy. She was also a Member of other ten major committees at the Congress, most notable are the committees on appropriations, women, agrarian reform, education and culture, education and welfare of special persons, constitutional amendments, foreign affairs, poverty alleviation, trade and industry, public works and highways, games and amusement transportation and energy. During her term and as member of several committees, she represented the Philippines in international trade fairs, economic investments conferences and consular meetings.

After her service at the House of Representatives, she was appointed by the former Philippine President as Vice President and Project Coordinator for Corporate Communication and Services Department at the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (2007-2010), where she mastered her ingenuity for community development, health and social services.

In the recent election 2010, she became the first ever elected woman Municipal Mayor of Palo, Leyte. She is currently the President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines- Leyte Chapter and the Chairperson for the Alliance of Local Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management and Development Council.

At the moment, she is implementing solid waste management improvement projects in Palo that encourage community engagement. She is also embarking on strategies for economic competitiveness and is currently into development planning for eco-tourism, eco-industry, improvement of surface water quality and domestic wastewater treatment.

Aside from being a public official, she currently holds active chairmanship in several socio-civic organizations, as well as membership in professional organizations. She is currently the Deputy Chief National Commissioner of the Visayas for the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and is the Chairman Emeritus of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Leyte Council since 2004 to present.

Fujin City (China) Zhou Hong Party Secretary

CV of Mr Zhou Hong, Party Secretary of Fujin City Communist Party Committee (CPC), Heilongjiang Province

Mr Zhou Hong was born in March 1964 in Heilongjiang Province Fuyuan County. He graduated in 1984 from the School of Physics in Jiamusi College. He also holds an Executive MBA from the Chinese People's University.

He has worked in the past in various capacities; as a Teacher and School Secretary in Fuyuan County's No. 1 High School; Journalist and Secretary in the Broadcasting Bureau of Tongjiang City; Deputy Section Chief and Research Officer in the Tongjiang City CPC's Research Department; Deputy Bureau Chief of the Industrial and Commerce Bureau of Tongjiang City; Party Secretary and Bureau Chief of Television Broadcasting Bureau of Tongjiang City; Director of the Office of the Tongjiang City CPC; Deputy Secretary of the Discipline and Inspection Commission of the Tongjiang City CPC; Deputy Party Secretary of Tangyuan County CPC and Secretary of the Discipline and Inspection Commission; Party Secretary of Renbu County of the Tibet Autonomous Region; Deputy Party Secretary of Fujin City CPC and Mayor of Fujin City. Mr Zhou Hong the current Party Secretary of the Fujin City Communist Party Committee (CPC).

Mr Zhou Hong is a representative of the 11th Communist Party Congress of Heilongjiang Province, and also a representative of 12th Communist Party Congress of Jiamusi City, and is a member of the Jiamusi City CPC.

Mr Zhou Hong has been awarded various individual honors by the country, including the National Science and Technology Progress award for individual achievement, and the City Award for Advancing Technology in the Agriculture Sector. Mr Zhou Hong has, for many consecutive year, been awarded top marks in yearly evaluations of the city's government leaders.

Tomsk (Russia) Alexey Stukanov Head of the Department for International and Regional Cooperation of Tomsk Region Administration

Alexey Stukanov is the Head of the Department for International and Regional Cooperation of Tomsk Region Administration (Russia). He has a PhD in modern history since 1990. Alexey may boast great international experience both in his academic and civil service carriers. He used to be a coordinator and an expert of Soros Foundation programs, TEMPUS and many others. Being a Fulbright scholar (1994, 2004-2005), Alexey researched extensively international NGOs and the problems of federalism.

Alexey worked as the Chairman of International Cooperation Committee of the Regional Administration from 2005 to early 2011. In April 2011 he became the Head of the Department for International and Regional Cooperation of Tomsk Region Administration.

Kuching South (Malaysia) James Chan Khay Syn Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Sokoto (Nigeria) Sahabi Isa Gada Secretary To The Sokoto State Government

Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State was born on 1st March 1953 in Wamakko, Sokoto State. He spent five years (1968-1972) at the Sokoto Teachers' College. After graduation, he worked as a teacher from 1973-1977 before being admitted to the University of Pittsburgh in the United States. He graduated with a B.Sc. in August 1980. Returning to Nigeria, he taught at Sokoto Teachers College.

Aliyu Wamakko took a job as Principal Assistant Secretary of Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA), later being promoted to Acting Secretary. He worked at Kaura Namoda LGA, and was appointed Chairman of the Sokoto LGA from 1986-1987. He became General Manager, Hotel Management and Tourism Board, Sokoto. In March 1992 he was promoted to Director-General, Careers and Special Services, Governor's Office, Sokoto in March 1992. He was elected Deputy Governor of Sokoto State to Governor Attahiru Bafarawa in 1999, on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP). He was re-elected Deputy Governor for a second term in April 2003. He resigned as Deputy Governor of Sokoto State on 15th March, 2006.

Aliyu Wamakko ran successfully for Governor of Sokoto State in April 2007 on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, and assumed office on 29th May, 2007. Following an appeal, his election was annulled in April 2008 on the basis that he had still been a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) when he won the PDP nomination. Abdullahi Balarabe Salame was appointed Acting Governor (11th April - 28th May 2008) while a re-run was arranged. It was said that the contest was not so much between Wamakko and Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi of the DPP, as between Wamakko and his predecessor Attahiru Bafarawa, founder of DPP. Wamakko regained his seat in the May, 2008 re-run. Due to his immense strides in bringing development to the state, Governor Wamakko was re-elected in 2011.

Bengkalis Regency (Indonesia) Herliyan Saleh Regent

Stay tuned for more information!

Chiang Mai (Thailand) Rittipong Tachapunt Vice Governor

• Educational Background
  1. High School from the Prince Royal's College,Chiang Mai.
  2. B.A. Political Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok.
  3. Master of Public Administration [ NationalInstitute of Development Administration (NIDA) ], Bangkok.

• Seminars Background
  1. JapanLocal Government Program [Japanese Government Scholarship.(7 May - 15 July 1986)]
  2. GIS Program[ Netherlands Government Scholarship (30 Sep 1989-3 Sep 1990)].
  3. Human Resource Management Program [ Australian Government Scholarship(20 Nov - 15 Dec 1995)].
  4. US Political System Program [U.S. Government Scholarship (31 Oct - 21 Nov 1998)].
  5. Fundamentals of Computer and Info Tech Program [Singapore Government Scholarship (20 - 31 Aug 2001)].

• Government Services
  1. Assistant District Director in Chiang Mai Districts
  2. Chief of Provincial Plan and Policy Analyst in Nan, Lamphun and Chiang Mai Governor's Office
  3. Chief of Governor's Office in lamphun and Chiang Mai ProvinceVice Governor of Chiang Mai Province

South Sumatra (Indonesia) TBC Head of Regional Planning

Stay tuned for more information!

Wuhan (China) Long Shiping Chief Engineer

Stay tuned for more information!

Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council (Sri Lanka) Ranawaka Janaka Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Vicente Loureiro Undersecretary for Urban Planning

Stay tuned for more information!

Navotas (Philippines) John Reynald M. Tiangco Mayor

Navotas City Mayor John Reynald M. Tiangco believes that the greatest resources of Navotas are its people.

He is the promoter of moral renewal program in the City of Navotas and an advocate of human transformation.

He is married to Ms. Barbara Pardo and has two children.

He graduated from Bachelor of Arts major in History at De La Salle University and Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at DLSU-College of St. Benilde.

He used to work as managing director of Trans-Pacific Fishing Corp. and R & LT Shipyard and Realty Development Corp. and as president of Admiral Marine Construct, Inc., Admiral Aqua Farm, Inc, Admiral Koi Food Specialties and the Metro Manila Shipyard Association but later found his mission in serving the people of Navotas. In 2010, he ran for Mayoral seat in the City Gov't of Navotas and was declared the first unopposed Mayor of the City of Navotas.

Rome (Italy) Federico Rocca Deputy Mayor for European Affairs

Federico Rocca was born in Rome on March 17, 1974. Since May 2008 he served as Councillor of Rome and later became the Delegate of The Mayor of Rome for the relations with European institutions and EU citizens.

He is also the Vice President of the Tourism Commission and Fashion and a Member of the Committee on Public Works and Health Policy. He also serves as a Member of City Committee for Decentralised Cooperation and is a Representative of Rome Capital Network in the Network of European Capitals.

Federico Rocca is also a Member of PiattaformaEuropea 2020 at the Committee of European Regions.

Palembang (Malaysia) Ir. H. Eddy Santana Putra, M.T. Mayor

The Mayor of Palembang : Ir.H. Eddy Santana putra, M.T was elected as Palembang's Mayor for the second reign,He will hold this position from 2008 until 2013,.He was born in Pangkal Pinang on January 20th,1957.He is an intellect, visionary and modest leader. He completed undergraduate education at Sriwijaya University in 1984 and master degree in engineering at the University of Sriwijaya Palembang in 2004. Before becoming mayor of Palembang in 2003 he was the head of Public Work Department in south Sumatra Province, the head of a Public work Department in Palembang , head of City Planning Department in Palembang.Eventually he Became the Mayor of Palembang City in 2003-2008, and the second reign in 2008-2013.

Therefore he has a lot of knowledge and experiences about the region and the boundary and the existing problems in the city of Palembang. During his second reign as Mayor of Palembang, Ir.H.Eddy Santana Putra M.T launched a vision of his governance Platform: Transforming Palembang as international, Prosperous and cultural city in 2013.To achieve this vision, the main effort is by Improving the quality of human resources to be intelligent, healthy,moral, civilized, faithful and pious to the only God, improving the prosperity and participation of the community in the development, improving city facilities, infrastructure and environmental quality in accordance with suistainable spatial plans, encouraging the improvement of economic growth through investments of industrial, trade,and service sector and improvement of networking among regions both within the country and overseas by facilitating the licensing and other facilities, creating new job opportunities to suffice for man power needs in order to decrease unemployment, continuing bureaucracy reform both culturally and structurally to improve community service, improving the security and orderliness of the community fairly and evenly as well as encouraging law enforcement and conversing historical and cultural inheritance.

Nausori (Fiji) Napolioni Masirewa Mayor of Nausori Town Council

Mr. Masirewa has been a former civil servant in the Fiji Public Service for 30 years before assuming the position of Special Administrator and Mayor in 2009. He has served as administrator in various departments including the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Fijian Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Regional Development, the District Administration and a stint in the country's diplomatic service.

He became Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Civil Aviation between 2001 and 2006. He became Special Administrator in February 2009 during the reform of local government which is still in process.

Nasinu (Fiji) Mosese Kama Mayor / Special Adminstrator

Tertiary Qualification

• Diploma in Industrial Relations, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Masters in Business Administration, University of South Pacific, Fiji

Palu City (Indonesia) Haji Andi Mulhanan Tombolotutu Vice Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Qom (Iran) Mohammed Hossein Mousapour Governor-General

Stay tuned for more information!

Fujin (China) Guo Guang Fu Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Mbombela (South Africa) Cathrine Dlamini Executive Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!

Suzhou Industrial Park (China) Qin Xiaojing Vice Chairman

Stay tuned for more information!

Thoothukudi (India) Lingeswara Thilagan Sasikala Pushpa Mayor

Stay tuned for more information!