26 November 2014: Participants recognized that China and the Latin America and Caribbean region face common urbanization challenges and opportunities, at the Forum on Sustainable Urban Development in China and Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants also recommended including urban development in the post-2015 development agenda and in negotiations on a global climate agreement.

In opening remarks, UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena explained that “China as well as Latin America and the Caribbean have had to provide effective solutions to the various challenges and negative consequences of the urbanization process.” She underscored the importance of ensuring sustainable urban development, noting that 85% of Latin America’s population is expected to live in cities by 2030.

“Latin America and China are running the same race, but from different backgrounds,” Wu Baiyi, Director, Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (ILAS-CASS), told participants. Wu underscored the importance of fostering bi-regional collaboration and exchange of experiences between the regions and regional institutions.

ECLAC and ILAS-CASS will develop a program on urbanization in Latin America and China, through ECLAC’s Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division.

ECLAC and ILAS-CASS organized the forum with the support of the CAF-Development Bank of Latin America. The forum opened at ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile, on 26 November 2014. [ECLAC Press Release]