DUSHANBE , August 8, Asia-Plus - A summit for urban leaders of the Asia-Pacific region started in Urumqi , the capital of China ’s Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous District on August 8.  

According to information from the Dushanbe mayor’s office, the Deputy Dushanbe Mayor, Zokirkhuja Muhiddinov, is representing the Tajik capital at the Asia Pacific Cities Summit in Urumqi .  The source says urban leaders from 17 countries, including China , South Korea , Russia , Japan , Thailand , Kyrgyzstan and other countries, are taking part in the summit’s work.   

The 2006 Asia-Pacific Cities Summit is the seventh in the Summit Series and the theme for this summit is “Harmonious City Development.”  It focuses on harmony between City, Man and Nature.  Participants at the summit are considering issues related to city-planning, city management, environmental protection problems, as well as economic and transportation issues.  

ABOUT: The first Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) was held in Japan ’s city of Fukuoko in 1994.  APCS has been held once two years since 1994, as a forum where leaders of Asian-Pacific region can get together and have exchanges of opinions in a candid manner.  At present 26 cities and regions are members of the APCS.  The Asia Pacific Cities Summit is designed to foster communication between cities from the Asia Pacific region, and enhance regional economic and trade development.