Mayor Garcetti Advances Tripartite Economic Alliance; Signs Business-to-business Mou With Auckland And Guangzhou
Published May 17, 2016 by Watt Capital Partners
AUCKLAND, NZ—The Cities of Los Angeles, Auckland, and Guangzhou Monday entered into a landmark partnership to develop and share expertise in urban design, architecture and sustainable technologies that will define how cities look and operate in the 21st century.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined Mayor Len Brown of Auckland, New Zealand, and Vice Mayor Wang Dong of Guangzhou, China in the signing of a business-to-business agreement, as part of the Tripartite Economic Summit hosted May 14-15 in Auckland.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) builds on the Tripartite Economic Alliance formed by the three cities in 2014, and calls on each to “showcase and highlight each other’s projects” at a special event in each respective city. In 2017, the LABC will feature the best urban design projects from Auckland and Guangzhou at its annual Architectural Awards luncheon. Beyond sharing design principles, sustainability measures and technological solutions to urban issues, the three cities will also identify business partnerships, public/private projects, and bidding processes designed to increase market access for local businesses.
“It is a global imperative for cities to grow their capacity for, and commitment to, sustainability,” said Mayor Garcetti. “L.A. is making remarkable strides toward meeting the goals of my Sustainable City pLAn, and I know that sharing best practices, and supporting each other on the world stage, will only accelerate progress around the globe. This agreement strengthens our bonds with Auckland and Guangzhou, and solidifies our commitment to collaborating in the work of leading our respective cities — and our world — into a more healthy and prosperous future.”
The Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Urban Design Alliance between the three cities, on behalf of the Los Angeles business community. The MOU was also signed by leaders of the Auckland Council and the Guangzhou Urban Planning Design Survey Research Institute.
Guangzhou and Auckland are two of Los Angeles’ most well-established and economically important sister cities. The three cities aim to set a new standard for how modern cities can engage and collaborate in the 21st century, and are working together to enhance trade and economic relations.
The inaugural Tripartite Economic Summit was held in Los Angeles in June 2015, with the theme of “Innovation — Through Commercialization and Connectivity.” The MOU signed at the 2016 Summit in Auckland solidifies the alliance between the business communities in all three cities.
“We are honored to lead the LA business delegation to Auckland, and to enter into the MOU agreement, which will help all of our cities advance sustainability measures, urban design principles and the use of technology to make our cities more livable,” said LABC President Mary Leslie. “We look forward to welcoming our friends from The Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Survey Research Institute and Auckland Council during the LABC’s Architectural Awards event next year.”
The 2016 Tripartite Summit provides a platform for business groups and investors from the three cities to engage with local and international entrepreneurs, take advantage of potential business-to-business leads and commercial opportunities, and hear from leading keynote speakers and panelists with sector expertise in areas including entertainment, trade, design, and innovation, among others.
In addition to the Los Angeles Business Council, the business delegation includes representatives from Berman Strategic Advisors, Parsons, 3Blackdot, Trammell Crow Company /CBRE, LA Business Council Institute, American Airlines, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley Bank, Iris TV, Sister Cities, Ownzones Media Network, Holland Partner Group, Causeplay, Forward Entertainment Group, David Nahai Consulting Services, LLC, NBC Universal, Shamrock Capital Partners, Mucker Capital, Larta Institute, and Watt Companies.
