World Association of the Major Metropolises

World Association of the Major Metropolises is an international organization that brings together mayors and governors of major metropolitan areas from around the world, including Tokyo, New York City, London, Beijing, and Mumbai. The organization aims to promote cooperation and exchange of ideas among its members, with the goal of addressing common challenges and opportunities faced by major metropolises, such as urbanization, sustainability, and economic development, as discussed by experts like Jane Jacobs and Richard Florida. The World Association of the Major Metropolises has partnerships with other international organizations, including the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the European Commission, and has collaborated with World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and Asian Development Bank on various projects.

● History

The World Association of the Major Metropolises was established in 1985 by a group of mayors and governors from major metropolitan areas, including Jacques Chirac of Paris, Ed Koch of New York City, and Ken Livingstone of London. The organization's founding was inspired by the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat I) and the European Union's Urban Agenda, and has since been influenced by the work of Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Buckminster Fuller. Over the years, the organization has grown to include members from over 100 major metropolises around the world, including Shanghai, Singapore, and São Paulo, and has worked with UN-Habitat, World Health Organization, and International Labour Organization on various initiatives.

● Organization

The World Association of the Major Metropolises is headquartered in Paris and has a secretariat that provides support to its members and coordinates the organization's activities, in collaboration with OECD, European Investment Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank. The organization is led by a president, who is elected by the members, and has included notable leaders like Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles and Wang Qishan of Beijing. The World Association of the Major Metropolises also has a number of committees and working groups that focus on specific issues, such as transportation, energy, and public safety, and has partnered with International Energy Agency, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves on related projects.

● Membership

Membership in the World Association of the Major Metropolises is open to mayors and governors of major metropolitan areas from around the world, including Cairo, Mexico City, and Istanbul. Members must be from cities or regions with a population of over 1 million people, as defined by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and must be committed to the organization's goals and principles, as outlined by Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. The organization has members from over 100 major metropolises around the world, including Buenos Aires, Kolkata, and Johannesburg, and has worked with African Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on various initiatives.

● Activities

The World Association of the Major Metropolises engages in a range of activities, including conferences, workshops, and study tours, in collaboration with Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The organization also publishes reports and guides on best practices in urban planning, transportation, and sustainability, and has partnered with World Resources Institute, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives on related projects. In addition, the World Association of the Major Metropolises provides technical assistance and support to its members, including capacity building and peer-to-peer learning, as facilitated by United States Agency for International Development, German Development Cooperation, and Australian Agency for International Development.

● Governance

The World Association of the Major Metropolises is governed by a board of directors that includes representatives from each of the organization's member metropolises, as well as a number of international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. The board is responsible for setting the organization's strategic direction and overseeing its activities, in consultation with European Parliament, United States Congress, and National People's Congress. The World Association of the Major Metropolises also has a number of advisory committees that provide expertise and guidance on specific issues, such as climate change and urban poverty, and has worked with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, World Food Programme, and United Nations Children's Fund on related initiatives. Category:International organizations