Davao mayor among panelists in world cities summit

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is among the 32 mayors and governors from 31 cities and provinces in 19 countries worldwide who were invited to the annual World Cities Summit Mayors Forum (WSCMF) from July 2-4 in Singapore.

World Cities Summit is an annual forum wherein leading and progressive cities in the world along with business leaders discuss liveable and sustainable city challenges.

Duterte-Carpio was invited to be one of the round table panelists along with Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay.

"We will present our smart city solutions project with the IBM," Duterte-Carpio said.

Last year, Duterte-Carpio was also invited by the WSCMF but the mayor did not make it due to the June 28 flashfloods.

This year's WSCMF is themed "Liveable and Sustainable Cities" with sets of discussions focusing on strategies for economic competitiveness, ways to achieve liveability, and also on the challenges of community engagement.

Duterte-Carpio told reporters prior to her departure that the invitation will open lots of opportunities for the city.

In 2011, 32 city mayors and governors from all over the world joined the same forum along with chief executives of and business leaders in Singapore and international firms.

Among the key benefits of attending city officials from around the globe include: having the chance to network with more than 15,000 high-level government officials, industry professionals and business leaders around the world; and gain insights regarding the latest trends in urban solutions, among others.