1st November 2023 | Songyang, China
Against the backdrop of this year’s Urban October, the third International Forum on International Forum on Urban-Rural Linkages (IFURL3), was held from October 29 to November 1, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the global conversation on urban-rural connectivity. This crucial event, co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Zhejiang Province, the Department of Transportation of Zhejiang Province, Lishui Municipal People’s Government, and Songyang County, China, showcased the bright possibilities of a harmonious urban-rural integration.
The forum was strategically designed to provide an in-depth exploration of urban-rural connectivity, with a particular focus on the experiences and strategies from Songyang County, other parts of China, and different global contexts. In an innovative move, the forum was more than just a series of plenary sessions. Instead, it included thematic side events and curated site visits that allowed participants to grasp the nuances of urban-rural issues in a real-world context, with practical examples presented by a diverse group of experts.
With over 180 participants from 17 countries and 18 international organizations, the forum served as a melting pot of ideas, experiences, and solutions. The discussions highlighted significant emerging practices that are revolutionizing the way we think about urban-rural connectivity. Among these were intelligent transportation and intellectual property rights, both of which have the potential to drive remarkable changes in rural revitalization.
In a significant development, Songyang County People’s government signed a letter of intent to collaborate with Nyamira County in Kenya. This agreement strengthens region-to-region relationships and underscores the global relevance of the discussions held at the forum.
For many attendees, IFURL3 was not just a conference, but a revelation. It underscored the urgency to bridge the urban-rural divide as part of the global effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The engaging site visits in Songyang, paired with insightful discussions, provided tangible examples of what shared prosperity between urban and rural spaces can look like.
As delegates left Songyang, they carried with them a renewed commitment to not only forge partnerships but also to transform these partnerships into lasting friendships. The third International Forum on Urban-Rural Linkages was more than just a conference – it was a call to action. A call for a unified global effort to build sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive urban-rural linkages, essential for the world’s future.
