SOME 5,000 participants are expected to converge on Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Baru for the Asia Pacific Urban Forum 7 (APUF7) next month.
They are expected to come from countries such as China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Bangladesh and India.
The forum will be held from Oct 15 to 17.
Housing and Local Government Ministry chief secretary Datuk Seri Mohammad Mantek said 1,500 participants from 36 countries have so far registered for the event.
“APUF7 will pool stakeholders together with decision makers to discuss issues relating to town development,” Mohammad told reporters at the launching of the ‘Wrap up Rapid Ferry & Rapid Bus Penang’ at the Rapid Ferry terminal in Weld Quay on Sept 17.
He said Penang Island City Council (MBPP) was playing an important role to ensure the success of APUF7 in the city.
“MBPP is actively promoting APUF7 with almost all LED boards advertising the APUF7 programmes.
“Other promotions include advertisements on bill boards, Wrap up Bus Stop (13), CAT Rapid Bus (3), Rapid Bus (5), Wrap up Rapid Ferry, streamers, underpath and Link Bike,” he said.
Also present at the ‘Wrap up Rapid Ferry & Rapid Bus Penang’ launch were MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and Seberang Prai City Council mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud.
This year’s APUF7 carries the theme ‘Future of Asia and Pacific Cities: Transformative Pathways to Achieve 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Urbanisation’.
In conjunction with the forum, MBPP will hold the ‘The Cycling Mayors’ programme on Oct 14 at the Transfer Station in Batu Maung at 6.30pm.
There will also be a showcase of culture, called ‘Penang Carnival – Splendour of Penang’ at the Esplanade on Oct 17 at 4.30pm.
Among the presentations are boria, ‘Sound of Penang’, Baba Nyonya performance, ‘Children of Future’, and the rendition of Earth Song by Aida Redza.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud