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Hosted by the Municipality of Shiraz and the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation, the 5th Silk Road Mayors Forum Closed on 20th May with agreement on the Shiraz Declaration.
48 Cities from 26 countries attended the 5th Silk Road Mayors Forum, which was held in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
The event closed with agreement to the Shiraz Declaration.
The event was supported by UNWTO, the World Citizens Organisation (WCO) the Silk Road Global Alliance, UNESCO and UNDP.
Said Xu Jing, Regional Director Asia and the Pacific of UNWTO “We see the Silk Road as one of the best ways to link these twenty four countries within one thread and act as an umbrella to promote the cause of the tourism industry in one area.”
“The mayor’s forum was held to bring the international initiative to a local level spurred on by local city mayor’s involvement. “An added dimension” said Thomas Bauer of World Citizens Organisation, “is the opportunity for supporters of the Silk Road from many different countries and cultures to network and to build relationships for the future.”
The event ended with agreement on the Shiraz Declaration including:
• The use of the Silk Road to promote peace, unity and co-operation amongst the ‘Silk Roadians’ and the world in general
• The development of transit networks including air, sea, rail and highways throughout the Silk Road
• Fostering of trade, economic and cultural exchanges
• Development of links between universities, scientific centres, cultural and health institutions throughout the Silk Road
• Establishment of a forum to examine the feasibility of a Silk Road airline
• Establishment of Silk Road parks and Silk Road Boulevards in all member cities
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