September 18-19, 2024 | UCLG ASPAC once again lit up the spirit of collaboration among cities and local governments in the Southeast Asia sub-region through the conduct of the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) 2024. Highlighting theme “Enhancing Connectivity & Resilience for Sustainable Development of ASEAN Cities”, this year’s event was hosted by Vientiane Capital Administration, Lao PDR, and held in conjunction with the Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC). The Forum attracted around 350 city, mostly city and local government leaders and senior officials, in addition to other distinguished guests such as the ASEAN Secretary-General, Lao Ministry representatives, UN representatives, ASEAN Ambassadors, urban planners, and key stakeholders. Their active participation highlighted the growing importance of city-level leadership in addressing local challenges and contributing to regional integration and sustainable development.
This year’s forum theme resonated strongly with Lao PDR’s Chairmanship of ASEAN, which focuses on strengthening regional connectivity and resilience amid a disruptive global landscape. Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone underscored the significance of connectivity and resilience for ASEAN’s future. He emphasised that Lao PDR aims to transition from a land-locked to a land-linked country, serving as a hub for regional integration. This vision aligns with Lao PDR’s goal of contributing to ASEAN’s resilience and ability to respond effectively to future challenges.
ASEAN is developing its Community Vision 2045, where smart and sustainable urban development is a key strategic priority. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of ASEAN, stressed the critical role of cities in driving socio-economic progress and addressing challenges. To achieve smart and sustainable urban development, he recommended enhancing connectivity and resilience, ensuring inclusion, and building capacity of city leaders and officials. Platforms like the ASEAN Mayors Forum, ASEAN Smart Cities Network, and the Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals will be essential in fostering collaboration and promoting sustainable urban development beyond 2025.
Governor of Vientiane Capital Administration, Mr. Athsaphangthong Siphandone in his welcoming remarks, emphasised that local governments play a crucial role in building the ASEAN Community. He underscored the importance of AMF and MGMAC that provide opportunities for collaboration and innovation, enabling cities to promote regional economic growth, and strengthen people-to-people linkages and cultural exchange.
Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC as the AMF’s Secretariat, highlighted the Forum’s alignment with the Lao’s 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “Connectivity & Resilience” and its support to ASEAN’s Community Vision 2045. She underlined the vital role that cities and local governments play in implementing policies, fostering resilience, and addressing key challenges such as urbanisation, climate change, and socio-economic disparities.
During the meeting, AMF/MGMAC delegates participated in five parallel sessions focusing on 1) Sustainable and liveable cities, 2) Green tourism, 3) Sustainable economic development, 4) Environmentally sustainable cities, and 5) Climate resilience. These sessions offered valuable insights, including the need for local governments to increase knowledge exchange and capacity to build bankable projects and mitigate disasters, foster commitment from all stakeholders and engage local communities and international organisations, create conducive business environments, enhance legal regulations, prioritise green incentives and policies, and integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts which are socially-inclusive and gender-sensitive. Data-driven governance was also highlighted as critical to fostering resilience and sustainability at the local level.
One of the forum’s major outcomes was the adoption of the Vientiane Declaration 2024, which outlines shared commitments toward improving local governance, promoting inclusivity, and building sustainable cities. The declaration reflects the collaborative spirit of the Forum and its vision for ASEAN cities and local governments. Additionally, it was agreed that the ASEAN Mayors Forum will be renamed as the ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), recognising the evolving role of governors and mayors in shaping local governance. At the closing, the handing over of the flag to the next host of AGMF/MGMAC 2025, the City of Kuala Lumpur, was undertaken. Malaysian delegates comprising of Deputy Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Mayors of Kuantan and Sepang, and representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government received the flag from the Vientiane Governor accompanied by Mayor of Kaysone and Mayor of Luang Prabang.
As ASEAN forges ahead with its Community Vision 2045, the close collaboration between local governments, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community Vision 2045 will be crucial. Local governments will continue to play a central role in shaping ASEAN’s future, ensuring that the region’s cities are inclusive, resilient, and equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of the future.
