GENEVA, December 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Choice of Paris follows lengthy selection process involving cities in Asia, Europe and the Middle East

• 800-1000 global thought leaders, mayors, leading CEOs and representative of civil society to participate

• Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë: "On behalf of Paris, I'm pleased to welcome this important summit which will enable all stakeholders involved in urbanization to examine the future of the world's cities."

The New Cities Foundation (http://www.newcitiesfoundation.org) has selected Paris to host the inaugural New Cities Summit from May 14^th - 16^th 2012. The choice of Paris follows an intensive year-long selection process involving global cities in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The annual New Cities Summit is the centrepiece of the New Cities Foundation's work.  It aims to be the leading annual global event on 21^st century urbanization, with a unique focus on urbanization in fast-growing economies in Asia, the Middle-East and Latin America. This invitation-only event, which will take place in Paris-La Défense, brings together global thought leaders in business, public policy, technology, infrastructure, architecture, energy, transport, finance, national and local government, academia, civil society and the media.

Content-rich keynotes, plenaries and thematic workshops will form the basis for a thought-provoking discussion about how we will live, work and play in the cities of tomorrow. Presentations led by the NCF, its members and like-minded urban innovators will orient conversations towards new replicable solutions, best practices and fertile areas for innovation.

"We are thrilled to hold our first ever New Cities Summit in Paris-La Défense and are

especially pleased to have the support of Mayor Delanoë", said Mathieu Lefevre, Executive Director of NCF. "The Foundation believes that building more sustainable and dynamic urban communities can only be achieved through new forms of partnership, and the New Cities Summit will be a unique opportunity to develop new models of collaboration between the public, private and academic sectors and civil society."

Mayor Delanoë commented, "On behalf of Paris, I'm pleased to welcome this important summit which will enable all stakeholders involved in urbanization to examine the future of the world's cities. This event is about dialogue and innovation aimed at improving the day-to-day of our cities' residents."

The New Cities Foundation has launched a series of research initiatives around the globe which will contribute content to May's Summit. These include Task Forces on connected commuting in San Jose, California, on e-health in Rio de Janeiro and on a 'smarter' public sector in the UK. In mid-December, the Foundation will be hosting an event on Urban China in Beijing.

About the New Cities Foundation: The New Cities Foundation is a Swiss non-profit institution which aims to be the premier high-level platform for innovation and exchange on the future of urbanization. NCF believes the unprecedented rate of urban growth that defines the 21st century represents a unique set of challenges as well as a chance to build more sustainable, vibrant, innovative and equitable communities in the developed and the emerging world.

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SOURCE New Cities Foundation