(VOVworld)- More than 100 mayors and city leaders are attending the 7^th World Cities Summit which is taking place in Singapore from July 10 to 17. The summit seeks innovative solutions to the challenges cities are facing.

There are 550 cities with a population of 1 million or more. They are drivers of national growth. The growth of urban areas is creating new opportunities for employment and prosperity and also greater vulnerability to climate change and sea-level rise. In recent years, there have been major floods in many European cities, strong storms in Australia and extreme hot spells in India. Creative solutions are needed to mitigate such disasters.

At the World Cities Summit, Singaporean Minister of National Development Lawrence Wong called on mayors and city leaders to discuss urbanization-related issues and turn challenges into opportunities. Singapore announced its plan of action to cut gas emissions 36% by 2030 and become a smart urban ecology with fewer cars and less waste. He said Singapore is ready to share its experience with other cities seeking ways to minimize the effects of climate change and green house gas emissions, and advance technological solutions for a green, clean environment. City leaders showed a determination to deal with environmental pollution, promote urban planning, ensure clean water, cope with climate change, and become smart cities of the future. The summit released a Joint Statement on building safe cities with sustainable growth. Sustainable growth has become an urgent need for of global development and the growth of every country.