At the opening of the 2023 Global Mayors' Forum on Dec 8, Jordi Vaquer took on the role of secretary general of the Metropolis Association and praised Guangzhou's urban development model. 

He emphasized that cities and the nature can coexist harmoniously, and cities around the world could learn from Guangzhou's approach.

Vaquer said he believes that, given the current complex international situation, the timing of the Guangzhou Award and the Global Mayors' Forum is apt, providing a significant platform for global cities to exchange and cooperate. The forum gathered many mayors and urban governance experts, aiming to discuss cooperation between cities and address the challenges they face together.

Vaquer also mentioned that Guangzhou's experience in paying attention to the needs of different groups and protecting the natural environment, especially in terms of women's empowerment and biodiversity conservation, is worthy of emulation. 

He stressed that international cooperation plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of cities, and the collaboration between the Guangzhou Award and the Metropolis Association exemplifies this concept.