PRESS RELEASE
Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike and Mayor of Durban, Zandile Gumede, have been elected vice-chairs of the C40 Cities becoming members of the Steering Committee, the governing body that provides strategic direction for our network of mega-cities committed to action on climate change. The election of two women leaders comes just weeks ahead of the handover of the role of C40 chair to Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.
Mayors serving as Vice Chairs on the C40 Steering Committee represent the geographically diverse members of the global network. Governor Koike will represent Asian cities and Mayor Gumede will represent African cities. Tokyo and Durban, join Amman, Boston, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Milan, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and Seoul.
“On behalf of all C40 members, it is my great pleasure to welcome Governor Koike and Mayor Gumede as our newest C40 Vice Chairs,” said C40 Chair and Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes. “Tokyo and Durban have been pioneers in tackling climate change, and these leaders will have a unique role to play in making the Paris Agreement a reality in our cities.”
“Congratulations to Governor of Tokyo, Yurike Koike and Mayor of Durban, Zandile Gumede on their election as C40 Vice Chairs,” said C40 Chair-Elect and Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. “Recognizing and supporting women leadership in climate change is a key priority for my time as chair of C40. I am delighted to be working with this two such impressive women leaders and together, we’ll deliver bold actions of our cities for climate”.
“The large cities of the world play an important role in promoting measures against climate change, and expectations are also growing toward the actions taken by C40,” said Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. “As a member of the Steering Committee, I will strive to contribute to C40 and the world’s transition to low carbon.”
“It is a great privilege to be elected to represent African cities within the C40 network”, said Mayor of Durban, Zandile Gumede. The challenge of climate change is truly global and every city, country and continent must play our part in tackling it.”
The next convening of the C40 Steering Committee will take place at the C40 Mayors Summit the foremost global gathering of mayors of the world’s megacities and climate change experts, in Mexico City November 30 – December 2, 2016.
