The Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR), Sam Hou Fai, met on April 13 with the delegation from the 43rd General Assembly of the Union of Portuguese-Speaking Capital Cities (UCCLA), emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in various areas, at a time when Macau is strengthening its role as a Sino-Portuguese-speaking platform.
During the meeting, held at the Government Headquarters, the Chief Executive highlighted Macau’s significance as a founding member of UCCLA and a strategic bridge between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries. Sam Hou Fai also welcomed the holding of the General Assembly in the region for the fourth time, expressing his hope that participants would gain firsthand insight into the development achieved by the Macau SAR over the past decades.
The Chief Executive reiterated that, under the “one country, two systems” principle, Macau has maintained social stability and economic growth, while simultaneously strengthening its position as a World Centre for Tourism and Leisure and a platform for cooperation with the Portuguese-speaking world. He also assured that the Government will continue to expand exchange mechanisms and promote pragmatic partnerships with Portuguese-speaking cities and countries.
The 43rd General Assembly of UCCLA took place at the Service Platform for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, bringing together 35 delegations of local government officials and business leaders from countries such as Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
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At the meeting, the Macau SAR was elected chair of the UCCLA Executive Committee for the 2026–2028 term, consolidating its role within the organization. New memberships were also approved, including the cities of Calumbo, Ícolo, and Bengo in Angola, and Viseu in Portugal, as well as the 2026 activity plan.
Over the course of three days, the program included institutional meetings, visits to strategic infrastructure sites, and a business forum dedicated to the theme “Infrastructure and Smart Cities,” as well as trips to the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, involving approximately 100 participants.
The assembly was preceded by a meeting of the Executive Committee, where internal matters and the organization’s activity report were discussed. Currently, UCCLA comprises 106 members, including full members, associate members, supporters, and observers, from Portuguese-speaking countries and associated regions.
Founded in 1985, UCCLA aims to promote cooperation among Portuguese-speaking cities by strengthening institutional, economic, and cultural ties. Holding the assembly in Macau reaffirms the region’s role as a central link between China and the Portuguese-speaking world.
