Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin represented Mayor Lu Shiow-yen at the session of the 2025 UCLG Executive Bureau in Seville, Spain, held from April 1 to 4. He highlighted that Mayor Lu is the sole female mayor among Taiwan’s six municipalities and presented Taichung’s initiatives to advance gender equality. His remarks received strong and positive feedback from more than 200 delegates from member cities and organizations.

While in Spain, the Taichung delegation also took part in the sixth edition of the World Forum for Local Economic Development, connecting with over 2,500 participants from more than 100 countries to exchange insights and municipal practices. During the event, they signed a preliminary MoU with Dr. Flavio E. Merio Maydana, President of FAM-BOLIVIA, expressing hope for future exchanges. This reflects Taichung’s growing efforts to broaden its city diplomacy.

The Secretariat of the Taichung City Government noted that during the event, Deputy Mayor Cheng engaged in experience sharing on governance with international delegates and signed a preliminary MoU with Dr. Flavio E. Merio Maydana of FAM-BOLIVIA, witnessed by several participating mayors. The agreement will be finalized once both sides return home and complete the necessary procedures. The two parties also extended mutual invitations for future visits, aiming to foster more diverse, practical collaboration and explore the possibility of establishing a sister city partnership to achieve a sustainable and shared vision.

The Secretariat added that once finalized, this will be Taichung’s first MoU with an international municipal alliance. This signifies the establishment of ties not just with a single city, but with all cities under the alliance, creating a multiplier effect in fostering city-to-city partnerships and ushering in a new chapter in the city’s diplomatic efforts.

According to the Taichung delegation, the session of the UCLG Executive Bureau this time centered on the theme “local and regional governments, engines of development” and was held alongside the sixth edition of the World Forum for Local Economic Development. The forum spotlighted the theme “just transitions, financing for development, and territorial solutions.” Across four days of keynotes, case studies, policy talks, and workshops, participants explored ways to enhance the potential of local economic development to address global challenges and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Held four years after the previous edition—which took place virtually during the pandemic—this year’s forum marked a meaningful return to Andalusia, Spain, where the event was first launched 14 years ago. It held great significance for both the host city in Spain and the participants.

Spain’s First Vice President and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero Cuadrado, delivered a remark at the opening ceremony, where she underscored the Spanish government’s commitment to local economic development as a central force in driving social and economic change. After the ceremony, Deputy Mayor Cheng gave his regard personally.

According to the Taichung delegation, to echo the forum’s theme, the organizers arranged a series of important cultural agenda that showcased Andalusia’s practical experience in local economic development, including eco-initiatives in Huelva Province like nature reserve conservation and green job creation, experiences on circular economy and waste management, cultural heritage and sustainable tourism models in the UNESCO-listed city of Córdoba, and historic cathedrals and the Royal Tobacco Factory in Seville. These activities helped build strong connections between knowledge, culture, and land, highlighting the vital role of cultural heritage in sustainable tourism and local economic development, and formed a key part of the forum experience.

According to the Secretariat, the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)—the world’s largest organization of local governments—is based in Barcelona, Spain, and plays a vital role in Taichung’s international engagement. The organization comprises eight sections and one regional forum, with Taiwanese cities affiliated with both the Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) and Metropolis chapters. Taichung has been a member since UCLG’s inception in 2004 and is currently the only Taiwanese city serving on both the World Council and Executive Bureau 2022–2026. As the sole representative from Taiwan at this forum, Taichung continues to actively strengthen its engagement in international affairs and assert its presence on the international stage.