April 4, 18, 2023 | THE Asia-Pacific Mayors Academy virtually launched and held its first two modules on April 4 and 18, 2023. A total of 13 Mayors from four countries comprise the fourth batch including Hang Tuah Jaya and Rompin (Malaysia), Bedkot, Bheri, Phikkal, and Hetauda (Nepal), Anilao, Badiangan, Calapan, Cauayan, Iligan, and Ormoc (Philippines), and Nakhon Si Thammarat (Thailand).
Module 1 (Cities 2030) introduced global development frameworks mainly the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its linkages with the Paris Climate Change Agreement, Sendai Framework, New Urban Agenda, and Addis Ababa Action Agenda. It highlighted that all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have an urban dimension which underscored the importance of cities in achieving them.
During their self-introductions, Mayors identified the following challenges for sustainable urban development in their cities: insufficient financial resources; lack of technical capacity for disaster preparedness, climate change adaptation, and sustainable waste management; lack of adequate infrastructure; and limited public awareness and engagement on sustainable development.
Module 2 (COVID-19 Recovery) established the link between the SDGs and COVID-19 recovery and introduced the Voluntary Local Review (VLR). In her opening message, UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi acknowledged how local actions can shape the future of cities and how local solutions contribute to the regional recovery. UCLG ASPAC President Mayor Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha shared his experience in developing Dhulikhel Municipality’s VLR which enabled connection with the federal and provincial governments, and collaboration with different stakeholders. The VLR showcased their work on SDGs 1, 2, 4, and 6, and on participatory governance through the stakeholder councils for women, youth, and people with disabilities. Dhulikhel Municipality’s VLR is the first in Nepal and South Asia.
UCLG ASPAC is a permanent member of the Academy’s Advisory Board. For more information on the Asia-Pacific Mayors Academy, visit https://www.asiapacificmayorsacademy.org/.
