"I hope that China will be an urban pioneer," Ban Ki-moon said, adding that he looks forward to working more closely with China across the sustainable development agenda.

He urged the world to work together towards wiser use of the planet's finite natural resources, introduce sustainable practices at all stages of production, consumption and trade, from policy-making to the daily operations of small and large business, do more to develop renewable sources of energy, and make them affordable to all people, and work together to combat climate change, encouraging our cities and towns to vigorously implement mitigation and adaptation measures.

"By sharing our knowledge, our cultures, and our desire for a better world, we are all enriched and we can all succeed," he said.

Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary-General of BIE said at the forum that the Expo has inspired a mindset of cooperation, solidarity and openness which are essential to tackle the major challenges facing humanity.

"Shanghai 2010 has truly materialized the vision of the World Expos of the 21st Century," he said.

"Shanghai has successfully demonstrated that Expo can be a core venue where citizens and global institutions come together to actively and constructively contribute to the solution of humanity's challenges through peace, creativity and solidarity," he added.

The forum invites state leaders, officials, scientists and experts, and entrepreneurs across the world to seek innovative ways for sustainable urban development.

It is also aimed at exploring and solving various practical issues faced in urban development through the initiation of extensive and intensive exchanges between developing and developed countries, and leaving behind a positive spiritual legacy on behalf of the future of the world cities and the development of humankind itself.