Global mayors gather in Xi'an to explore tech-driven urban growth

The main dialogue session of the "2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Xi'an" was held on Wednesday in Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Mayors and city representatives from countries including Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, New Zealand, Tunisia and Oman joined local officials for discussions under the theme of "Empowering High-Quality Urban Development Through Technology and Culture."

Participants expressed strong interest in Xi'an's industrial planning, scientific innovation and business development, with many highlighting opportunities for future cooperation.

Xi'an mayor Ye Niuping said the city has in recent years leveraged technology to drive the creative transformation and innovative development of its historical and cultural resources. Efforts have focused on building new integrated scenarios combining culture, technology and tourism, revitalizing ancient heritage sites while showcasing their historical significance through modern innovation.

Tania Tapsell, mayor of Rotorua in New Zealand, noted the city's strong momentum in technological innovation, solid manufacturing base and rapid business growth. She highlighted potential cooperation in cultural tourism integration and geothermal energy development, with a shared focus on sustainable development.

Green transition and digital transformation were also key topics during the dialogue. Jamal Abu Obeid, chairman of the municipal council of Ramtha in Jordan, pointed to prospects for deeper collaboration with Xi'an in areas such as digital technology application, smart city development, cultural heritage protection and youth exchanges, aiming to translate discussions into concrete projects.

During the event, participants also released the "Global Mayors Dialogue – The Xi'an Consensus on Silk Road Urban Development," under the Global Mayors Dialogue framework, focusing on cultural heritage, technological empowerment, green transition and people-to-people exchanges.