The Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), the largest city-level organization collaborating with the United Nations, convened this past June in Bonn, Germany. By focusing on the implementation and tangible results of urban climate actions, cities can continuously elevate their influence in international climate forums. Liou, Her-Ran, Deputy Mayor of New Taipei City, represented Taiwan on the East Asia Regional Executive Committee, engaged with city representatives from around the globe to discuss urban sustainability, and showcased New Taipei’s remarkable progress in climate action and sustainable governance.

During the ICLEI World Congress, Deputy Mayor Liou, Her-Ran participated in dialogues with representatives from various cities worldwide, including Lindsey P. Horvath, the newly appointed Regional Executive Committee member and Supervisor of Los Angeles County, USA, and Takeharu Yamanaka, ICLEI Global Executive Committee member and Mayor of Yokohama, Japan.”

Deputy Mayor Liou, shared with the attending committee members how New Taipei City through eight years of dedicated sustainable governance, New Taipei City has achieved remarkable green transformations. A prime example is the remediation of the 30-year-old Wugu landfill site into the vibrant “Wugu Charloette” eco-park. The city has also established itself as Taiwan’s first coal-free industrial city while bolstering its climate resilience through high-tech infrastructure, including the Emergency Data Platform (EDP) and an AI-powered smart flood prevention system.

Guided by Mayor Hou Yu-Ih’s vision of an all-age friendly and inclusive society, New Taipei City has successfully expanded its“Three Loops, Six Lines” MRT system and developed over 255 all-age-inclusive parks. These combined efforts not only strengthen the city’s climate resilience but also foster a socially equitable and accessible environment tailored to an aging demographic.

“Bonn’s success story proves that a non-capital city can achieve global impact through its unique character and international partnerships,” Deputy Mayor Liou emphasized. “By transforming our local governance achievements into valuable assets for international exchange, New Taipei City is not only learning from the world but also actively elevating its global visibility through concrete actions.”

Under the Mayor’s leadership over the past eight years, New Taipei City has been fiercely dedicated to advancing climate action and aligning with global trends. The city’s diverse policy milestones possess both the actionable practicality and scalability required for international urban exchange, aligning with ICLEI’s call for cities to ‘implement climate goals’ and elevating the prominence of cities in major international climate conferences. Moving forward, New Taipei City will continue to drive resilient policies, leveraging the collective grass-roots strength of its 1,032 boroughs alongside smart technology. Together, these efforts will build a safe, healthy, and livable sustainable city for its residents, while the city continues to share the ‘New Taipei Model’ on the global stage.