Edward Jones
During its recent meeting in Washington, DC, the World Conference of Mayors (WCM) elected Grambling Mayor Edward Jones as its president. A non-profit, non-political, international organization, the WCM comprises mayors and other elected officials from cities across America and throughout the world, including Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
Jones succeeds James L. Hall, Jr., former mayor of District Heights, Maryland, who died while in office. Prior to this new position, Jones served as the organization’s 2nd vice president.
“I am deeply honored to have been elected to this prestigious position,” said Jones, who became his second consecutive term as Grambling’s 7th mayor in December 2014.
“As president, I plan to launch a more aggressive plan to help the WCM achieve its fundamental purpose of facilitating trust, trade, tourism, technology, treasury, training and twin-cities program and services to mayors and other elected officials from around the world,” he added.
Organized in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1984, the WCM is an outgrowth of the National Conference of Black Mayors.
Through a network of international municipal associations, mayors, and units of local governments, the WCM plans, designs and manages an international intergovernmental communications system through which it emphasizes the establishment and strengthening of intergovernmental frameworks, capacity building, strategic planning, technical assistance, and organizational and human development.
The organization focuses on identifying, gathering and disseminating current and relevant data that help elected officials in effective planning and policy making.
Since its inception, the organization has convened in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa; Banjul, The Gambia; Hong Kong, Beijing, China; Durban and Pretoria, South Africa; Nassau, Bahamas; Dakar, Senegal, Lagos, Nigeria; Haiti and Fort De France, Martinique.