CITYNET came into being through a brainstorming process that was based on the needs of cities in the Asia-Pacific Region. The gatherings that provided the platform for this brainstorming were:

1982 Y'LAP
The Regional Congress of Local Authorities for the Development of Human Settlements in Asia and the Pacific was held in Yokohama, Japan, under the sponsorship of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the City of Yokohama. The Congress stressed the need to enhance co-operative links between local authorities for the development of human settlements and to promote partnership with other urban stakeholders. To address these issues, the Congress adopted the Yokohama Declaration which was disseminated world-wide.

1987 N'LAP
The Second Congress of Local Authorities for the Development of Human Settlements in Asia and the Pacific was organised by ESCAP in Nagoya, Japan. The Congress, focusing on local and regional co-operation for the development of shelter and communities, discussed the strengthening of institutional capacities of local authorities, as well as the role of NGOs and communities in improving urban human settlement conditions. Following the adoption of the Nagoya Declaration, the Congress established CITYNET.

1989 First Congress
The First General Council of CITYNET was organised by ESCAP and the Shanghai Municipal Construction Commission. The meeting adopted the CITYNET Charter, and the Mayor of Yokohama was elected as the first President of CITYNET.

1991 Second Congress
In November, the Second Congress of CITYNET was organised by ESCAP, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The meeting elected Dato' Lakhbir Singh Chahl as Secretary-General, and the City of Seoul, Korea as the Auditor. 1992 Establishment of Secretariat In February, the City of Yokohama became the host of the Secretariat.

1993 Third Congress
In November, the Third Congress of CITYNET was organised by the CITYNET Secretariat and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay, India. Dato' Lakhbir Singh Chahl was re-elected as the Secretary-General, and the Capital Development Authority of the City of Islamabad was elected as the Auditor. 1995 Granted ECOSOC Status In July, CITYNET was granted Category II Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

1997 Fourth Congress
The Fourth CITYNET Congress was organised by the Secretariat and the City of Yokohama. The Secretary-General and President were re-elected, and the City of Muntinlupa appointed Auditor.