The launch ceremony of the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation's VR exhibition is held at Guangzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Center on May 14. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]

The launch ceremony of the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation's VR exhibition, themed around "the Spirit of Cities", was held at Guangzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Center on May 14.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has let people review their relationship with nature and we need to take an active part in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development so that we can achieve a green recovery and build a community of life for man and nature," said Zhan Decun, director of the foreign affairs office of the Guangzhou municipal government. 

"We hope that the exhibition can offer new ideas and preferences for global cities in urban innovation, and that more citizens can be made aware of urban innovation and provide new thoughts," added Zhan. 

Emilia Saiz, secretary-general of United Cities and Local Governments, and Carlos I. Giralt-Cabrales, the consul general of Mexico in Guangzhou, both spoke highly of Guangzhou's city spirit which is filled with openness and innovation. 

The consul general added that many cities around the world can learn from Guangzhou as it is a metropolitan area that has dealt with many important challenges in innovative ways.