The 31st International Mayors Conference highlighted the Start-up Nation and the benefits of Israeli innovation for the international community. 

The delegation of over 25 Mayors met high-tech, energy and cyber companies as well as urban development experts from Israel. The purpose of the conference was to extend political and social ties between Israel and the international community. The American Jewish Congress has been leading a science diplomacy initiative working with Israeli companies and political leaders to advance Israel's case to the world by showcasing technology and innovation.
 

One of the goals of the conference was to give the Mayors tools and strategies to take back to their own communities. Mayors met with high-tech, energy, and cyber companies as well as urban development experts from the Start-up Nation. The Mayors also visited the Jerusalem Innovation Centre, took part in a Tel Aviv start up tour, and heard a presentation from mPrest, the company that developed Israel's Iron Dome command and control system.

The political leg of the conference saw the delegation meet with local municipalities including Nazareth, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu, Erel Margalit MK, Mayor Nir Barkat (Jerusalem), Mayor Ron Huldai (Tel Aviv) and Mayor Ali Salam (Nazareth) amongst other leading Israeli politicians and business people. 

During the conference, the delegation of Mayors signed a resolution. The conference’s resolution objects to UNESCO creating religious and political discord by injecting false narratives as part of a disinformation campaign by biased parties. The delegation also resolved that, “UNESCO must cease repeatedly exacerbating tensions, as evidenced by the most recent news of disputing Israeli heritage of the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the major archaeological discoveries of the 20th century that sheds light on the biblical era.” 

 

The resolution was presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting with the Mayors.[1]

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Argentine President Mauricio Macri, the former Mayor of Buenos Aires, Italy’s recent Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, the former Mayor of Florence, and Mayor of NYC Bill de Blasio are alumni of previous conferences.

 

Every year, this conference helps establish and solidify relationships with participating mayors from around the world, as well as their relationships with each other, increasing global diplomacy for Israel and the Jewish people. 

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[1]Visit here to see article in the press or download press coverage book at the start of this page:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/visiting-mayors-but-not-montreals-slam-unesco-holy-sites-stance/