As we bid farewell to the year 2016 and welcome 2017, the CityNet Secretariat would like to thank all its members and partners for their continuous support throughout the year.  We believe that 2017 will give us opportunities to grow particularly following the New Urban Agenda agreed upon at the Habitat III Conference and the recent CityNet Executive Committee Meeting in Makati, Philippines. We would like to extend our New Year's greetings and wish you all a joyful and prosperous year ahead.

CityNet shared its collaborative project on Urban SDGs to develop a Knowledge Platform with Seoul Metropolitan Government and UNESCAP at the Seoul International Organizations Forum on 20 December. 150 participants from various international organisations based in Seoul attended the forum that was held to create a better understanding and explore collaboration in implementing SDGs. The program was opened by remarks from H.E. Kim Chang-Beom, the Ambassador for International Relations of Seoul Metropolitan Government. 

Sidoarjo Regency's Public Hospital, Seoul Metropolitan Government – Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center and CityNet have agreed to create a synergy and establish partnership in the field of education, healthcare and hospital management by signing a partnership charter on 9 December 2016. This is one of the tangible follow-ups of the recent CityNet Services Program where a delegation from Sidoarjo visited Seoul to learn about healthcare, e-governance and water treatment.

The World Bank Group is launching a FREE Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Policy Lessons from South Korea's Development on January 17, 2017. The MOOC will last four weeks and is taught by prominent representatives of academic and research institutions in South Korea and the United States. Register for the course and join the discussion #KoreaMOOC. To sign up, please visit: https://www.edx.org/course/ kee01x-korea-economic-development-wbgx

CityNet received an award from Sidoarjo Regency under the category of Best Implementation for its continuous effort to help shape the city's sustainable development. This is part of the city government's Partnership Program to show their gratitude to their partners as well as boost their motivation to further develop the city. The award nominees consist of NGOs, private sectors and institutions, among others.

On December 12-13, CityNet was invited to participate in a workshop of the Technical Working Group on City Diplomacy coordinated by UCL City Leadership Lab held at the University of Oxford. This has allowed CityNet to connect with top level researchers and other city networks to identify areas of opportunity to improve its scope of work. CityNet - the only city network representing the Asia Pacific region that attended the workshop - provided the perspectives of Asian cities to the discussion.

In preparation for the TAV which took place at the end of November, Component 1 had a number of planning and capacity building activities, which include a series of conversation workshops led to the drafting of the CDRRMC disaster response plan for hydro-meteorological hazards.

The City Government organized a soft opening for the KABALAKA Gallery housed at the Art Deck Building of John Lacson Foundation Maritime Museum. The KABALAKA Gallery (Iloilo City DRR Information and Exhibit Center) is a facility that offers an opportunity to learn about Iloilo's disaster risks and preparedness activities.

In November a focus group discussion, led by PIEDAR's SMM Resource Person, was held at Behbud School with the Principal and 19 teachers. The discussion helped teachers better understand SMM in order for them to promote SMM activities. By the end of the discussion there was a shared understanding on the importance of segregating materials at the source.

From November 23-24, Makati hosted the 34^th Executive Meeting and International Seminar for CityNet Members and observers. November 23rd was reserved for CityNet Strategic Planning Meetings which provided participants with a platform to discuss activities within the CityNet network. The results of the meeting will help to determine CityNet's initiatives in 2017.