Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination

Mayor of Durban, South Africa, Obed Mlaba

scene of the meeting

World Expo Shanghai organisers today promoted the Urban Best Practices Area, one of the highlights of the Shanghai Expo, in South Korea, inviting Korean cities to participate in the special exhibition to showcase their successful experiences with urban development.

Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, delivered the speech at the Second United Cities and Local Governments World Congress in Jeju, South Korea.

Hong said Shanghai will select about 30 cases from international cities to display in the UBPA. The cases should be real examples or plans which are valuable in improving people's living condition.

The area will build up a platform for world cities to discuss problems during urbanization, such as transportation and environmental protection, said Hong.

So far, 79 cities have submitted applications to the international selecting committee. The deadline for the submission is January 31, 2008.

Hong said the World Expo is a grand event for countries to showcase their economic, scientific and cultural achievements.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the event. China established favorable policies for the Expo and set up a special committee to organise the Expo, Hong said.

Hong discussed preparations for the Expo, including theme interpretation, site construction, international participation and marketing plans.

More than 2,000 officials from more than 130 countries attended the meeting themed "Changing Cities are driving our world."