UCCLA brings together 35 delegations in Macau for three-day general assembly

The 43rd General Assembly of the Union of Portuguese-Speaking Capital Cities (UCCLA) was held yesterday at the Complex of Commerce and Trade Co-operation Platform for China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macau.

The three-day program brought together 35 delegations of mayors and business representatives from Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe, all members of UCCLA.

During the assembly, delegates elected new governing bodies for the 2026–2028 term, with the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) representative chosen as president of the executive committee. The meeting also approved the 2026 activity plan and admitted new member cities, including Calumbo and Ícolo e Bengo in Angola and Viseu in Portugal.

On the first day, representatives met with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and visited the exhibition pavilion of the platform complex and “Macao Ideas.” They also attended a dinner hosted by Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak.

On the second day, participants took part in a business forum themed “Infrastructure and Smart Cities,” followed by a visit to the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, attended by about 100 delegates and business representatives.

The final day featured visits to several sites in Macau to provide an overview of the city’s development and current conditions.

The assembly was preceded by an executive committee meeting at the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) headquarters, attended by representatives from Cascais, Angola’s Ingombota Municipal Administration, and IAM leadership. Discussions covered internal operations and past year activities.

UCCLA currently has 106 members, including 24 full members, 44 associate members, 28 supporters, and 10 observers across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Since its founding in 1985, Macau has hosted the general assembly on three previous occasions.

During a reception with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, officials exchanged views on strengthening cooperation among member cities. Sam highlighted Macau’s role as a long-standing China–Lusophone platform and expressed hope for expanded collaboration and renewed exchanges among members. UCCLA President Rasaque Silvano Manhique said Macau plays an important role in promoting cooperation and cultural exchange and pledged continued efforts to deepen ties among Portuguese-speaking cities.