September 12-14 | Banyumas – UCLG ASPAC,in its role as the Secretariat of the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF), supported the 2^nd City Windows Series (CWS), a high-level event held as part of the Smart Green ASEAN Cities (SGAC) programme funded by the European Union (EU). This forum contributed to enhancing knowledge of ASEAN cities to finance their smart and green city development initiatives.

Co-hosted by the UN Development Capital Fund (UNCDF), with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia and city of Banyumas, in cooperation with the Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV) and the ASEAN Secretariat, the 2^nd CWS took theme “Transforming Cities – Planning, Structuring, and Financing Projects”. The forum demonstrated the implementation of various urban policies to investment, following a coherent circular system with the member states’ policy. Furthermore, the forum also contributed in strengthening cities’ capacity in subnational financing through fruitful discussion, practical training, and knowledge exchanges, which promoted collaborative financing with the private sector, financial institutions, and government entities. The forum showcased various city project presentations to bring up opportunities for innovation and financing. Participants were also able to see waste management solutions practiced by Banyumas Regency and learn the process of delivering the city-financed smart green projects.

UCLG ASPAC moderated the City Showcasing and Knowledge Sharing Session: Urban Environment Management, exploring insights from three speakers, namely Nakhon Sawan Municipality of Thailand, Phitsanoluk Municipality of Thailand, and the City of Rotterdam, Netherland. Each city presented its project design, planning, financing, and the challenges faced during project implementation.

The 2^nd City Windows Series, as other sessions in the Smart Green ASEAN City, successfully convened leaders and development partners to discuss investment financing and partner with national and sub-national governments. Selected SGAC cities showcased their project design, planning, and financing, discussing challenges faced in preparing for investment financing which inspired other cities in ASEAN. A field visit to the Banyumas project site also provided additional insights into waste management and circular economy practices, innovative financing instruments, and Public Private Partnership for smart green projects.

UCLG ASPAC, in its capacity as the Secretariat of ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF), and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), since last year, have collaborated to promote SGAC forum and support more sustainable urbanisation in the ASEAN cities so that green and smart city solutions can be adopted in the ASEAN region.