DUSHANBE, November 18, 2008, Asia-Plus — Deputy Dushanbe Mayor, Rustam Rahmatov, heading a Dushanbe municipal delegation today left for Tehran to attend the First Asian Mayors Forum that will held in the Iranian capital on November 19-20.
The delegation members include Akbar Fayozov, the head of the Dushanbe department of public service and utilities, and Dilshod Qurbonov, the head of the Dushanbe department for youth, sorts and tourism affairs.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor, said that some 40 Asian mayors would take part at the conference. Besides, representatives of 30 municipalities of Europe and Latin America will attend the forum as observers.
The forum aims to discuss issues related to establishment and expansion of cooperation between the Asian municipalities in the time of globalization, the spokesman said.
The conference is held under the motto of “Asia for Citizens: Integration for Better Life.” Strengthening social and cultural ties between Asian metropolises is the main aim of the forum. The forum is organized upon the initiative of the APA (Asia Parliamentary Assembly) to offer grounds for a debate between the mayors of major Asian cities. The aim of the Forum is to explore new perspectives on local governance and urban development throughout Asia and to find solutions to offer Asian citizens in order to achieve a better integration and a better life in their city. It will also provide mayors an opportunity to discuss municipal issues, to share experiences in urban changes and management, and find strategic solutions to urban problems.
