Lin Daoping, vice mayor of Guangzhou, participates in the online seminar on behalf of the city. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]

An online seminar on voluntary local reviews (VLRs) highlighting sustainable development achievements was held on July 17, gathering more than 150 representatives from local governments around the world, as well as organizations like Brookings Institution and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

New York announced in May 2018 that it would become the first city in the world to submit a review of its progress directly to the United Nations (UN) during the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Lin Daoping, vice mayor of Guangzhou, was invited to participate in the event on behalf of the city.

Other participants also included Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of UN-Habitat, Emilia Saiz, secretary general of the United Cities and Local Government, Jan Vapaavuori, mayor of Helsinki, Finland, as well as Penny Abeywardena, New York City's commissioner for international affairs.

Guangzhou, a metropolitan area with an actual managed population of more than 22 million, has been striving to implement the new development content integrating innovation, coordination, green development, opening up, and sharing.

Being among the first batch of cities to participate in VLRs, Guangzhou has strengthened communication and cooperation on sustainable development with cities from around the world by submitting reviews to build a better future.