Malé to Host 2027 UCLG ASPAC Meeting, Signs Ties with Haikou

Malé City has been selected to host the 2027 United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) Executive Bureau Meeting for the first time, marking a major diplomatic and administrative milestone for the capital city council.

Announcing the decision, Malé City Mayor Adam Azim described the selection as a clear reflection of the city’s expanding engagement within the international local governance framework.

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“This is a significant milestone for our city and a reflection of Malé’s growing engagement and role within the international local government community,” Mayor Azim stated. “We look forward to welcoming mayors, local government leaders, and partners from across the Asia-Pacific to Malé, providing an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation, exchange ideas, and build meaningful partnerships for sustainable and resilient cities.”

Mayor Azim emphasized that hosting the high-level regional summit presents a critical platform to elevate the specific developmental and climate vulnerabilities of small island urban centers on the global stage.

On the sidelines of his official engagements, Mayor Azim also signed a formal Letter of Intent with the Mayor of Haikou City, Zhang Yong, aimed at establishing sister-city relations and cooperation between Malé and the capital of China’s Hainan Province.

The agreement focuses on expanding bilateral collaboration across key economic and civic sectors, including commerce, sustainable agriculture, education, and tourism, while facilitating closer cultural and institutional ties between the two cities.

“This marks an important step towards strengthening cooperation and creating new opportunities for collaboration in commerce, agriculture, education, and tourism, while building stronger connections between our people,” Azim said, underscoring his council’s commitment to advancing municipal diplomacy and bilateral partnerships.