The 7th United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) Congress was held in Surabaya, Indonesia from Sept 12 to 14.

The shortlist of 15 cities for the 4th Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award) was revealed at a theme seminar on the afternoon of Sept 12.

The cities include Santa Fe from Argentina, Sydney from Australia, El Salvador from Brazil, Repentigny from Canada, Wuhan and Yiwu from China, Santa Ana from Costa Rica, Surabaya from Indonesia, Milan from Italy, Guadalajara from Mexico, Utrecht from Holland, Kazan from Russia, Durban from South Africa and New York from the United States.

Song Jingwu, vice-president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, secretary-general of UCLG Asian and Pacific Council, Tri Rismaharini, mayor of Surabaya, and Agnes Bickart, special representative of the World Association of Major Metropolises, delivered speeches during the opening day.

They highly appreciated Guangzhou's positive contribution to the global urban innovation and development.

Representatives from the 15 finalists will be invited to attend the 2018 Guangzhou International Urban Innovation Conference in Guangzhou this December for on-site debate. During the debate, the jury committee of Guangzhou Awards will select five award winners from the finalists.