October 21-25, 2024 | UCLG ASPAC successfully organised the second session of its 2024 Executive Bureau and the 2024 Council Meetings in Zhengzhou from October 21st to 25th, 2024. Highlighting “Innovation-Driven Regional Collaboration: Building a Green, Digital, and High-Tech Urban Future, the event brought together more than 200 delegates from over 70 local governments and institutions across 13 Asia-Pacific countries. The gathering was particularly special as UCLG ASPAC also celebrated its 20th Anniversary, in addition that the outcomes of the meeting will shape the development of the UCLG ASPAC Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, which is set to be adopted at the 10th UCLG ASPAC Congress in Goyang, South Korea, in September 2025.
UCLG ASPAC highly appreciates the co-hosts, the Zhengzhou Municipal People’s Government and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) for the great support and collaboration for the success of the meeting.
Prior to the event’s official start, several UCLG ASPAC committees held meetings, including the Standing Committee for Southeast Asia (SEA), the UCLG ASPAC Logistics Committee, the Standing Committee for South and Southwest Asia (SSW), the UCLG ASPAC Tourism Committee, the Culture Committee, the Financial Management Committee, the Standing Committee on Women in Local Governments (SCWILG), and the HDP Nexus Committee. Additionally, two sub-forums focused on women’s development and child-friendly urban planning were also held.
Participants also visited the sculpture made by Zhengzhou during the 8th UCLG ASPAC Congress 2021 at Zhengzhou Botanical Garden, marked by a tree-planting ceremony symbolising UCLG ASPAC’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving the environment. A welcome banquet, showcasing Zhengzhou’s culinary heritage, concluded all activities leading up to the official opening of the event.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Mayor He Xiong of Zhengzhou, representing the Zhengzhou Municipal People’s Government. He emphasised the city’s growth as a national hub and its contributions to international collaboration, noting that the event aims to foster cooperation, innovation, and a collective future in celebration of the organisation’s 20th anniversary.
The event was officially opened by UCLG ASPAC President, Governor Dakila Carlo Cua, who delivered an inspiring message. Reflecting on the 20th anniversary, he stated, “As we celebrate two decades of progress, we are mindful of both our achievements and the challenges ahead. UCLG ASPAC has become a reliable forum where local governments unite to create innovative policies, consistently highlighting the essential role of local leadership in shaping our future. We remain committed to supporting local governments in navigating the complexities of modern governance and upholding UCLG ASPAC’s legacy of advancing community welfare.”
The opening ceremony included congratulatory remarks from Mr. Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); Mr Liang Jieyi, Director of the Henan Provincial People’s Government’s Foreign Affairs Office; and Mr. Gao Jin, Standing Member of the Yiwu Party Committee and Deputy Mayor of Yiwu City. It concluded with a signing ceremony between UCLG ASPAC and Goyang Special City to host the 10th UCLG ASPAC Congress in September 2025.
Following the ceremony, the Asia Pacific Design for the Future forum explored the event’s central theme through keynote presentations and a panel discussion. Keynotes included a video message from Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and in-person contributions from Mr. Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City; Ms. Alex Walker, Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay District Council; and Mr. Yang Tianruo, Vice President of Zhengzhou University.
The panel, moderated by Catbalogan City Councillor Ms. Stephany Uy Tan, Co-chair of the Standing Committee on Women and Local Government, featured insights from Mr. Ma Yujun, Mayor of Shijiazhuang; Mr. Jo Kyoo-il, Mayor of Jinju City; Mr. Ichwan Peryana, CTO and Co-Founder of PT. Finansial Integrasi Teknologi; and Mr. Zhang Fulu, Research Fellow at the Henan Academy of Social Sciences. The discussion covered sustainable urban governance, green technology, digital innovation, and high-tech urban solutions.
The main session highlighted key commitments and initiatives from cities and local governments in the region:
- Commitment to Sustainability
- Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050
- Combating desertification and reducing carbon emissions
- Utilising IoT technologies, such as smart street lighting and carbon reduction portals, to enhance sustainability and citizen engagement
- Investing in diverse renewable energy sources, like small hydro and hydrogen power, to ensure energy sufficiency
- Smart City and Innovative Digital Technology
- Promoting smart city innovations to improve public services and urban resilience
- Employing IoT sensors for air quality monitoring and smart waste management
- Partnership
- Emphasising regional collaboration and public-private partnerships to address urbanisation challenges and implement sustainable projects
- Supporting localism to empower communities in public service delivery through effective partnerships.
During the UCLG ASPAC Statutory Meetings chaired by the President of UCLG ASPAC, the Executive Bureau and Council members acknowledged and endorsed the following, among other items:
- Approval of New Members
Jhenaidah Municipality, Bangladesh; Medan City Government, Indonesia; Itahari Sub Metropolitan City, Nepal; Parshuram Municipality, Nepal; Shariatpur Municipality, Nepal; Ulipur Municipality, Nepal; and Manila City, Philippines. - Approval of 2025 Budget and 2025 Work Plan
- Adoption of the launch of the preparation of UCLG ASPAC New Manifesto / Strategic Plan 2026 – 2030
Concurrent activities included two sub-forums entitled “Developing and Upscaling Digital Innovation for Cities” and “Opening Cooperation and International Exchanges,” featuring rich discussions on local practices and insights from UCLG ASPAC members, partners, and networks.
The day concluded with closing remarks from Vice Mayor Ma Zhifeng of Zhengzhou and UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi. This was followed by a celebration of UCLG ASPAC’s 20th anniversary, where attendees reflected on the organisation’s journey and milestones, accompanied by congratulatory messages from members. The commemoration included a ceremonial cake-cutting to honor the Organisation’s two-decade legacy.
On the final day, participants explored historical and iconic sites in Zhengzhou City, starting with the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan Province. Founded in 495 A.D. by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, this historic Buddhist temple is renowned as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. Nestled at the base of Shaoshi Mountain, the temple features ancient architecture, including the Shakya Mani Hall and the Thousand Buddha Pavilion, alongside landmarks like the Pagoda Forest and Damo Cave, which blend religious heritage with martial arts tradition.
Next, participants visited Jianye Movie Town, Central China’s premier immersive movie-themed destination. This venue offers large-scale performances, interactive entertainment, and themed dining, re-creating cinematic scenes that showcase Henan’s cultural heritage through modern filmmaking techniques. Since becoming a 4A-level scenic spot in 2020, it has provided visitors with a unique, time-travel-like experience of the rich history and culture of Central China.
Finally, participants toured Unique Henan·Drama Fantasy City, a sprawling 622-acre cultural tourism site featuring 21 theatres and continuous 700-minute performances with a thousand actors. Developed over four years, it tells the stories of the Yellow River civilization and Henan culture through dramatic and architectural art. Known as the world’s largest drama cluster, it combines advanced cultural storytelling with tourism and achieved national 4A-level scenic spot status in 2022.
