I wish to express my pleasure at being able to hold the 6th CITYNET Congress in Yokohama in 2009, a milestone year which also marks the 150th Anniversary of the Opening of the Port of Yokohama.
Today, the international community is confronted by many challenges which must be resolved from a global standpoint, such as the current financial crisis, global warming, climate change, poverty, disease, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. In order for the cities of the Asia-Pacific region to deal with these pressing issues, the role that CITYNET must fulfill is now becoming increasingly critical and indispensable.
I have high hopes that the CITYNET Yokohama Congress 2009 will yield meaningful discussions among the participants and become a bright ray of hope for the future of CITYNET and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.
As the President of CITYNET and the Mayor of the Congress' host city, I would like to do my best to prepare a warm, hospitable welcome for you all, and I eagerly await your participation. Let’s meet in Yokohama in September of 2009!