Asian countries urged to develop cities in sustainable manner

SINGAPORE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The two-day East Asia Summit (EAS) Conference on Livable Cities concluded here Wednesday with a renewed call to develop their cities in a sustainable manner.

In a global effort against climate change, mayors and governors from over 30 cities across 16 East Asia countries came together in a roundtable discussion, exchanging views on the challenges, best practices and expertise in developing sustainable and ecologically friendly cities.

The countries include those from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Japan and South Korea.

In a discussion chaired by Singapore's National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, leaders tackled the challenges their cities faced with rapid urbanization.

Mah called for cities to play a key role in improving each country's sustainable development.

"Cities in East Asia face common challenges in catering to rapid population growth and there is an urgency to develop our cities in a more sustainable manner," he said. "Cities can play a key role in improving our country's energy efficiency, resource conservation and addressing the effects of climate change through pragmatic and practical measures."

The conference was a follow-up from the Third East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Singapore last November, and is held in conjunction with the World Cities Summit and the Singapore International Water Week here this week.