October 6-7, 2022 | Surabaya – UCLG ASPAC, as the host of the ASEAN Mayor Forum (AMF) Secretariat, organised ASEAN Mayors Forum Consultative Meeting: “ASEAN A.C.T: Addressing Challenges Together” on October 6-7, 2022 in Surabaya, Indonesia. Followed by 27 participants including Mayors, Governors, and city representatives; from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to ASEAN.
The event was organised back-to-back with the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Housing (EAROPH) World Congress 2022, hosted by the Provincial Government of East Java.
Dr. Emil Elestianto Dardak, the Vice Governor of East Java, and new President of EAROPH 2022/2025 opened the Forum. In his speech, he addressed the future of human settlements and current issues and how the government responded. He also hoped the output of the Forum covered discussions on how to make people live in a comfortable city and region. In line with that, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, UCLG ASPAC Secretary-General on behalf of AMF Secretariat, said that the Forum would encourage cities in Southeast Asia to dare to face challenges and come out with strategic solutions in collaboration within the ASEAN community.
The first day of the meeting, chaired by the Vice Governor of East Java Province, and the Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC/AMF, covered a discussion on New Normal Recovery. The session gave chance to city leaders to share their city’s issues ranging from the initial COVID outbreak to new normal strategies. It was a meaningful discussion and exchange as knowledge and solution on dealing with COVID-19 were transferred among city leaders. Concluding the session, Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur City, mentioned, “Each city has different capabilities and capacities in its organisation. However, cities face the same challenges. That is why cities need to meet and share the best practices and knowledge for the betterment of life.”
On the second day, the discussion moved to Smart Cities and Resiliency in ASEAN chaired by Ms. Noraini Roslan, President of Klang Municipal Council, Malaysia, and Mr. Bima Arya Sugiarto Ph.D., Mayor of Bogor City, Indonesia. The discussion revolved around challenges in the implementation of the smart city in the new normal, particularly in fund allocation and technological gaps. However, city leaders believe that it is achievable with the synergy of the ASEAN cities and clear policy for the smart city. In this session and as also stated in the AMF’s Declarations released in previous years, it was mentioned the need to have a Local Government Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat Office and to form the Governance Structure of AMF. There was also a suggestion to collect the best practices of ASEAN cities for easy access. Through these initiatives, it will ease knowledge transfer among local governments and best practices and facilitate collaboration and influence until the grass-root level. With the upcoming AMF 2023, participants agreed to include the planning and agenda. Concluding the session, Mr. Noel L. Rodriguez, Third Secretary – Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN CPR of Philippines expressed his support for Indonesia Chairmanship 2023 to propose the local government unit at the Secretariat Office (located in Jakarta).
Following up on the AMF Consultative Meeting and highlighting the urgency of “Addressing Challenges Together” post-pandemic and realising a sustainable future, UCLG ASPAC as AMF Secretariat, in cooperation with Phnom Penh Capital City Administration, calls out ASEAN Mayors and Governors to attend and succeed the AMF to be held from 2 to 3 December 2022.
