World Cities Summit: Singapore welcomes 20,000 delegates to talk sustainability

Opened by Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hesien Loong, the annual World Cities Summit (WCS) began on Sunday with more than 3,000 guests in attendance – including leaders from government, businesses, academia and international organisations.

The event runs until June 5, with two more events running alongside it: Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS).

All three events are focusing on integrated urban sustainability solutions – with delegates representing hundreds of cities. An estimated 40 ministers and over 130 mayors and city leaders from around the globe are attending the event.

The largest exhibition on integrated sustainable solutions is also taking place, with more than 900 exhibiting companies and 29 group pavilions across 30,000 sq metres of covered exhibition space.

Singapore has been praised for its sustainable urban development in the past. A report published earlier this year by energy giant Shell and the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) endorsed Singapore as a place developing cities should replicate.

The unique setting of Singapore as an independent city-state amplifies urban development and its unique challenges. The WCS website describes the region as a “business destination of choice”, praising its “quality infrastructure, excellent connectivity to the rest of Asia and a strong network of strategic partnerships.”

Singapore also retains a renewable energy movement within its energy sector, headed by the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), which engages in sustainable development and education for the independent state.

Photo: timobalk via Freeimages

Further Reading:

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