First Expert Group Meeting: Building a Strong Foundation for the Localisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045
UCLG ASPAC, serving as the Secretariat of the ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), in collaboration with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, convened the inaugural Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Localising the ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045. Held at Institut Latihan Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, the two-day meeting gathered around 20 experts from national governments, academia, research institutions, local authorities, and youth representatives.
The meeting marked an important step in translating ASEAN’s long-term vision into actionable strategies at the local level. It established a shared framework and outlined concrete next steps to position cities and local governments as central drivers in shaping the ASEAN Community.
Opening the discussion, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Special Envoy of ASEAN Cities and Local Governments and Advisor on Sustainable Urbanisation to the Government of Malaysia, highlighted the significance of the Kuala Lumpur Sustainable Declaration. She described it as a milestone that formally recognises local and regional governments as essential partners in advancing ASEAN’s future. Echoing this, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General of UCLG ASPAC, underscored the need to move “from endorsement to execution.” She stressed that the success of ACV 2045 will depend on the commitment of local governments, supported by practical tools that translate regional aspirations into measurable local outcomes.
A central focus of the meeting was examining how the core pillars of the ASEAN Community Vision—Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural—alongside Connectivity as a cross-cutting priority, can be effectively implemented at the city level. Expert presentations and discussions highlighted opportunities to strengthen disaster resilience, promote innovation among micro, small, and medium enterprises, advance digital inclusion, and enhance regional connectivity.
Through focused group discussions, participants identified priority actions, capacity needs, and potential indicators to track progress. These exchanges resulted in a set of practical recommendations aimed at integrating ACV 2045 objectives into local planning and development frameworks.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was progress on two essential instruments to support localisation. The first is a Guideline on Localising ACV 2045, designed to help cities assess their alignment with the Vision and identify priority areas for action. The second is a Monitoring and Evaluation framework, which will include implementation tracking tools to measure progress, document best practices, and ensure consistency across ASEAN.
Dr. Bernadia outlined the next steps, including refining the draft guideline based on insights from the meeting and initiating the development of the monitoring tools, with completion targeted for 2026. Both instruments are expected to be officially launched at the next ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum in Manila.
Throughout the discussions, a clear message emerged: the success of ASEAN’s long-term vision will depend on strong collaboration and effective multi-level governance. The outcomes of this meeting provide a solid foundation for advancing the localisation of ACV 2045, ensuring that regional ambitions are translated into tangible benefits for communities across Southeast Asia.
