Guangzhou is the lead city of UCLG ASPAC Standing Committee of Women in Local Governments (SCWLG). The city has initiated a range of activities including knowledge exchange through webinar series to various project implementation to support the development of women and children in Asia-Pacific cities. UCLG ASPAC saw this networking visit as part of the city’s effort and commitment to consistently enhance women development.
May 6, 2026 | UCLG ASPAC facilitated a networking visit of the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress to the Jakarta Provincial Legislative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah/DPRD) to enhance the city’s efforts towards women’s empowerment in urban governance and to open new pathways for sustained institutional cooperation.
Legislative Frameworks for Women’s Empowerment
The dialogue focused on legislative and policy frameworks supporting women’s rights and empowerment. The Guangzhou delegation outlined four key pillars underpinning its approach: legislation, oversight, decision-making, and appointment and removal processes. The delegation stressed the importance of oversight through regular supervision mechanisms and the rule of law in areas including economic development
Jakarta Provincial Legislative Council shared the city’s regulatory landscape for women, showing legislative protections place particular emphasis on the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Both parties acknowledged that increasing women’s political participation requires sustained effort, including cadre development within political parties and stronger public advocacy for gender equality.
Both sides recognised the particular complexity of addressing women’s issues in urban settings, where the intersection of economic pressures, demographic diversity, and rapid technological change demands adaptive and responsive governance.
Outcomes and the Path Forward
The dialogue resulted in three recommendations to guide the next phase of engagement between the two legislative bodies. First, both sides agreed to strengthen closer interpersonal and institutional exchanges. Second, the delegations were committed to conducting regular knowledge-sharing sessions. Third, Guangzhou extended an invitation for DPRD Jakarta to participate in the 2026 Global Mayors Forum and the Guangzhou Award Ceremony held in December 2026, both hosted by Guangzhou, an invitation the Jakarta delegation expressed its interest in accepting.
Guangzhou-Jakarta Preliminary Introduction Project
The UCLG ASPAC Secretariat and the Guangzhou delegation also joined a meeting discussing the preliminary introduction of the “Wig Ventilation Project,” an initiative planned to be implemented in Jakarta. Hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Council for the Promotion of Trade with Indonesia (Persatuan Perdagangan Indonesia-Guangdong/PPIG) at the Jakarta Exchange Centre on May 6, 2026, the meeting, chaired by Mr. Long Huiqin, Vice President of PPIG, presented the project plan aimed at building the capacity of local communities to produce wigs and providing economic benefits for them. Guangzhou further expressed its hope that the project could become the next pilot initiative under the Guangzhou–UCLG ASPAC partnership. While the project details are still under discussion, UCLG ASPAC welcomes the positive initiative and stands ready to support its development.
