In order to coordinate and facilitate discussions on key priority issues for Asia-Pacific region over the next 50 years, an international forum, Urban Policy Forum: Asia-Pacific Looking Ahead, supported by the United Nations Environment Program, the Swedish International Development Agency and Tongji University was held in Tongji University on May 17-18 2007. At the opening ceremony, Dr. A. Steiner, the Executive Director of United Nations Environment Program, congratulated participants and advanced that, a good urban-development relies on the solution to such problems as energy, transportation, environmental pollution, and the life insurance of the poor brought by rapid urbanization.  

Prof. Wan Gang, the President of Tongji University and the Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology, pointed out in his address that, the generation of clean energy is an important guarantee for the sustainable development of society. The cooperation between United Nations Environment Program and Tongji University will drive the step of the construction of eco-city. Dr. C. Holtsberg , the Asian environmental secretary of Sweden, also expressed that, Asian cities is growing at a fast and unprecedented speed. The economic growth has brought a series of questions at the same time, which restrict the development of cities. How to coordinate the relationship between economic growth and environment is a key issue for the development of cities. 

More than forty policy makers and senior officials engaged in urban construction from China, Sweden, Australia, Korea, and Japan have been invited to share their experiences in implementing urban environment programs. The main sessions during the forum are prioritizing city management, climate change and cities, green building and eco-housing, and sustainable transportation. The forum included a Mayor's panel to allow for dialogue on city management issues in the context of the urban environment. Mayors also shared experiences and lessons learnt in implementing urban environment programs. Experts of urban construction made heat and friendly discussion about such problems as the impacts of cities on climate change, water supply, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation options, and the construction of environmentally friendly society.  

    The forum was held back-to-back with Tongji University's International Forum on Innovation for Sustainable Development on May 18, but as a part of the Forum of Globalization on the Urban Environment on May 19, under the auspices of Tongji University's 100 year Anniversary. The forum highlighted emerging issues in urban environmental management and identify a way of urban development in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthened partnerships and networks at the level of Mayors, academia, and development agencies.