January 13-14, 2025 | Bandung – UCLG ASPAC, under the framework of the Municipalities Network Advocacy on Sanitation in South Asia (MuNASS) programme, organised the South and Southeast Asia City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) Forum, held on January 13-14, 2025 in Bandung, Indonesia. Under the title of “Bridging Policy and Technology Towards Safe Sanitation in Asia Pacific,” the Forum was attended by over 160 participants from across the region and co-hosted by the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB).
The Forum featured four thematic sessions with moderated discussions and presentations followed by engaging Q&A sessions. Participants shared research findings, best practices, and challenges related to CWIS implementation, with contributions from 21 speakers and four moderators, representing Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, regional offices of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM). Furthermore, as part of the UCLG ASPAC Secondee Programme, representatives from Daegu, South Korea, and Nansha District, Guangzhou, China, shared their city’s innovative sanitation initiatives.
Key Points of the Forum

Session 1
Sharing Policy and Regulations, Good Practices from South and South East Asia towards City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS)
- The session emphasised the critical role of inclusive sanitation for public health and welfare, and the need for all cities to strive for Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
- Collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential, as demonstrated by Aliansi Kabupaten/Kota Peduli Sanitasi Se-Indonesia or Alliances of Indonesian Districts/Cities on Sanitation (AKKOPSI)’s commitment to sanitation development and horizontal learning.
- The session highlighted the importance of meeting national goals for safe drinking water and sanitation and addressing the ongoing challenges with safe sanitation across Indonesia.
- Various best practices were shared, such as wastewater management programmes in Banjarmasin and community-based initiatives in Tangerang, emphasising the need for local governments to incorporate sanitation into their agendas.
- Challenges like leadership transitions and the need for ongoing policy advocacy and capacity building were also addressed, highlighting the need for continuous commitment to long-term sanitation goals
Session 2
Innovating for Inclusive Sanitation: Reinvented Technology and Digital Solutions
- The session showcased innovative technological and digital solutions such as Shreekhandapur WWTP/IPAL which is a model for treating fecal sludge and wastewater and Daegu’s use of AI and IoT for real-time wastewater monitoring, to improve sanitation and resource recovery.
- The discussion highlighted the importance of local sanitation systems and their adaptability to varying conditions, showcasing the benefits of modified septic tanks, composting toilets, and water recycling units as solutions.
- The session emphasised the need to consider local factors when implementing sanitation technology, including water availability, energy use, and community habits, and the importance of community involvement for success.
- The importance of addressing the problem of mixing blackwater with greywater and the minimisation of the transportation of waste to conserve water was also addressed.
- The session explored innovative ideas like Sanitation 4.0, which focuses on accessibility, affordability, and resource recovery, along with examples of smart toilets from Guangzhou that use water recycling technology and can be customised for gender needs.
Session 3
Gender and Social Inclusion in Sanitation, Role of Women Leaders
- The session emphasised that access to sanitation is a fundamental human right, particularly for women and vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by its absence.
- The need to include and empower women in CWIS initiatives was a central theme, addressing the unique challenges they face, from increased workloads to marginalisation in decision-making processes.
- The discussion pointed out that while gender is a factor, economic limitations are key determinants of access to urban sanitation and suggested strategies such as skills enhancement, and collaboration with community leaders to be more impactful.
- The session showcased successful city-led initiatives in sanitation such as Semarang’s environmentally conscious infrastructure and international support for inclusive sanitation such as those of DFAT and IFRC, and highlighted the necessity for gender-sensitive infrastructure design, and sanitation programs.
- The discussions emphasised the importance of mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in sanitation, with a focus on collaboration between various stakeholders to ensure that sanitation facilities meet the needs of all community members, including vulnerable populations.
Session 4
Regional Cooperation for Sanitation – A Way Forward to accelerate Kathmandu declaration 2023
- The session focused on the importance of regional collaboration in achieving sanitation goals, as well as the need for governments to prioritise sanitation access for marginalised communities.
- The discussion emphasised the need for flexible technology suitable for different city conditions, as well as the importance of soft skills to effectively implement them, and highlighted the crucial role of capacity building in ensuring sustainable water and sanitation.
- The session also explored financial solutions like city gap funds to overcome barriers to creating climate-resilient and sustainable sanitation infrastructure, and showcased examples of how these funds are utilised in various countries.
- Inclusive sanitation needs re-evaluation to prevent negative impacts and ensure positive results, and that it is important to have clear planning and equal access in all communities, including challenging areas like slums.
- Continuous learning and technology sharing between cities is a key point, together with the necessity for strong leadership and collaboration across sectors to tackle sanitation challenges.

The Forum was opened by Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Rector of ITB; Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, UCLG ASPAC Secretary General; and Mr. Bhim Prasad Dhungana, Co-President of UCLG ASPAC.
- Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Rector of Institut Teknologi Bandung emphasised that this forum would serve as a crucial platform for sanitation discussions and collaboration within the region. She mentioned that rapid urbanisation in South & Southeast Asia, while unique, shares common challenges. It impacts sanitation access due to gaps in fundamental & physical infrastructure. Gender & inclusivity is very important in addressing these challenges.
- UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi expressed concern regarding the slow progress of SDGs in the region, with no goal on course for 2030. Current trajectory leads to only 1/3 of needed progress. Many initiatives were taken place to accelerate this, and one of them is MuNASS project. MuNASS project has strengthened municipal capacities, enhanced collaboration among local government associations in South and Southeast Asia, engaged 614 municipalities in Bangladesh and Nepal, achieving 98.4% coverage in both countries.
- Mr. Bhim Prasad Dhungana, Co-President UCLG ASPAC, representing South and Southwest Asia Sub-region, President of Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN), and Mayor of Neelkantha Municipality, said that sanitation isn’t just about investment; it’s about building inclusive communities. Exploring innovative solutions, sharing best practices, and fostering partnerships, can pave the way for change in sanitation.
Call to Action

By the end of the forum, a Call to Action was issued, inviting commitments from participating cities to continue their efforts in promoting CWIS. Both UCLG ASPAC and ITB acknowledged the need for increased involvement and collaboration, bridging the gap between research and knowledge from research centres and universities with practical solutions and implementation, particularly at the local level.
Tree Plantation and Visiting Reinvented Toilet Technology

Following the full-day discussions, participants were engaged in outdoor activities. In cooperation with the Bandung Regency, the participants joined a tree-planting ceremony in Bojongsari, planting 250 saplings along the banks of the Citarum River, the longest river in West Java province. After enjoying local delicacies, participants visited a reinvented toilet facility in Pasirluyu, Bandung City, for a hands-on observation of the facility within its targeted communities. This innovative solution utilises blackwater recycling and processing for re-flushing purposes, thereby allocating more clean water for household use, especially in areas with limited water availability.