An online international seminar sharing experience in fighting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, jointly held by UN Habitat, the United Cities and Local Government (UCLG), and the World Congress of Metropolis, was held on March 25.

The seminar was the first important international meeting under the online communication project on COVID-19 launched by UN Habitat, UCLG, and the World Congress of Metropolis, aiming to boost international cooperation in the prevention and control of the epidemic.

The seminar was hosted by Emilia Saiz, secretary general of UCLG, and gathered about 100 attendees, including leaders and representatives from 11 cities in eight countries like Guangzhou and Xi'an in China, Rome in Italy, and Buenos Aires in Argentina, as well as representatives from organizations like Union Internationale des Transports Publics (UITP).

Tang Xiaoping, director of the Guangzhou municipal health commission, introduced Guangzhou's efforts in fighting COVID-19, being the first city to share their experiences.

Guangzhou is the first city to share its experience fighting the COVID-19 epidemic during the online seminar. [Photo/gzfao.gov.cn]

Tang noted that currently Guangzhou has taken effective measures in controlling imported COVID-19 cases from overseas, adding that the city is willing to cooperate with cities around the world to face and overcome the challenge.

Saiz highly praised the efforts made by cities in China like Guangzhou, noting that Guangzhou has played an exemplary role in the epidemic fight.

Maimunah Sharif, UN Habitat executive director, has called on all cities to join hands in the fight against the epidemic.