Photo of Director General Hui-Mei Juh with the Secretary General of UCLG, the Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, and representatives of participating cities, including the mayors of Daejeon, Konya, and Rabat.

Led by Director General Hui-Mei Juh of the Secretariat, a delegation from the New Taipei City Government visited Tangier, Morocco, from June 22 to 26, 2026, to attend two major international conferences: the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) World Congress and the Metropolis General Assembly. Invited as a keynote speaker, Director General Juh shared New Taipei City’s governance experience with city leaders from around the world, helping to expand the city’s international network of partners.
 
Under the theme “A New Generation of Universal Local Public Services,” this year’s UCLG World Congress brought together over 1,000 participants, including leaders of local and regional governments, representatives from international organizations, as well as experts and scholars from think tanks around the world, to address trends in urban governance and future challenges. Elections were also held for the Presidency, Executive Bureau, and World Council.
 

Director General Hui-Mei Juh greets the Mayor of Tangier, the host city of the World Congress.

Director General Juh focused her presentation on New Taipei City’s placement among the world’s top 50 cities in the 2026 Happy City Index. She shared with participating cities the achievements of Mayor Yu-Ih Hou’s nearly eight-year administration in building a more livable city and enhancing residents’ well-being. She also presented New Taipei City’s three Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) published to date. Together, these initiatives illustrate the city’s practical experience in advancing sustainable development, optimizing public services, and fostering innovative urban governance. Director General Juh also reaffirmed New Taipei City’s support for the UCLG’s global campaign of 10, 100, 1000 Human Rights Cities and Territories by 2030. She noted that the city has long integrated a human rights-based approach into its governance by safeguarding multicultural equality, implementing the Happiness Protection Station program to build a social safety net that ensures no one goes hungry while providing care for disadvantaged schoolchildren, and combating intimate partner violence across diverse gender identities. These initiatives attracted considerable attention from international participants at the World Congress.
 
In addition, the theme of the Metropolis General Assembly was “Urban leaders shaping a future for all.” Member cities from around the world gathered to discuss key issues including inclusive development, sustainable governance, and the future of cities. During the Assembly, participants approved the 2027–2029 Strategic Action Plan and elected the organization’s new leadership, including the President and members of the Board of Directors.
 
Director General Juh noted that, on this occasion, New Taipei City successfully secured re-election to the UCLG World Council for the 2026–2029 term. She said that they will continue to leverage this international platform to share policy experiences and engage in exchanges with cities worldwide, showcasing its achievements and expertise in sustainable development, smart governance, and urban innovation. Participation in these two major international conferences not only enhanced New Taipei City’s visibility and influence within the global network of cities, but also further strengthened its partnerships around the world. Going forward, New Taipei City will continue to deepen its global engagement and city diplomacy by actively connecting with cities around the world to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through these efforts, the city aims to become more resilient, inclusive, and livable, with a greater sense of well-being, thereby demonstrating New Taipei City’s governance capabilities and contributions to the international community.


Director General Hui-Mei Juh shares New Taipei City’s inclusion in the GOLD group of the 2026 Happy City Index during a roundtable forum.


Director General Hui-Mei Juh presentes New Taipei City’s VLR