On November 2, CCICED 2018 Annual General Meeting Open Forum on Innovation-Driven Green Urbanization was successfully held in Beijing. The forum focused on innovation and discussed urban challenges and pathways, as well as sustainable water management. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Liu Shijin, CCICED Chinese chief adviser, and Prof John DeGioia, CCICED Member and the president of the Georgetown University in the United States.

Mr. Liu pointed out that since the reform and opening up, especially in the past three years, China's urbanization has seen rapid development, featured by emerging metropolis with surrounding small towns. The trend of urbanization in China will continue in the next decade or so. How to choose the urbanization mode is crucial. It is necessary to shift from the traditional pollution path to the new sustainable development, and make positive contributions to both China and the world. There have been mature green technologies and green development concepts in China, and the emergence of new elements such as digital economy and high-speed rail has played an active role in shaping China's future cities. We should make continued efforts to apply the advanced technologies into urban development practices, summarize and share the best practices that influence China’s decision-making and future urban development direction.

More than 60 domestic and foreign experts from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Development Research Center of the State Council, China Academy of Urban Planning & Design, Tsinghua University, Zenity Environment, Georgetown University, UC Berkeley, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and WRI joined the meeting.