Haris Doukas, mayor of Athens, Greece

Cities can more easily build bridges of cooperation and understanding from the ground up, especially when some governments are divided by deep differences. Cities and their administrations, being closer to the citizens, have rich toolkits and capabilities that allow them to achieve many of the international goals and strategies to address today's challenges, which are global in nature but often require local solutions.

Ndeshihafela Larandja, mayor of Windhoek, Namibia

Over the years, our city has embraced forward-looking urban strategies, including investment in direct potable water reuse technologies, the launch of a solid waste buyback center that incentivizes recycling, and the preservation of green spaces through parks and gardens. These initiatives reflect our commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Dan Boyle, lord mayor of Cork, Ireland

Home to over 190 multinational companies, including Apple, Boston Scientific and Janssen, our city has become a top choice for investment due to a wealth of talent produced across a variety of disciplines by the city's two universities, and a highly innovative, supportive and collaborative business ecosystem. We look forward to deepening our commercial partnerships with Shanghai businesses.

He Dongbin, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce

Shanghai remains as one of the preferred destinations for foreign investors to make investments and for multinational companies to deploy their global industrial and supply chains. Shanghai's attractiveness as a destination for investment, innovation and entrepreneurial businesses from around the world is still growing.

The level of openness of Shanghai, which has always been at the forefront of China's opening-up, has reached the medium level among countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Kong Fu'an, executive deputy director of the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District Administrative Committee

The Hongqiao CBD within the Hongqiao area, which is the geographical and economic center for the Yangtze River Delta region, has borne in mind green planning, green buildings and green operations from day one.

With a solar energy system, water-saving solutions and the full coverage of roof greening, the core area of the CBD was fully designed in a green way. Its centralized energy supply system helps save 5,000 to 7,000 metric tons of coal annually.