Sustainable development has become a keyword in global development for the past few years. Increasing temperature and degrading environment at rapid speed has forced people around the world to think of innovation and solutions to prevent further damage to the earth. 2015 marks a historical event for the global development agenda as The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted as a shared development blueprint. This agenda aims to bring peace and prosperity for people and the planet by encouraging people and economic development, as well as climate action in its development strategies. However, the global spirit in achieving SDGs was halted due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.
Cities Challenges in Achieving SDGs Post-Pandemic
Rapid urbanisation in the past few decades has transformed social and economic conditions. In Asia Pacific, about 45,5% of the population live in urban areas. With the massive rate of urbanisation, cities undoubtedly hold important roles in several aspects of development, particularly in economic development.
During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, cities suffered from the devastating impact the pandemic has caused. Initially, the pandemic was started as a global threat to human’s health. Later, it grew and exacerbated the challenges social and economic development cities have been facing. The pandemic has forced people to quarantine at home and limit their mobility, which brought heavy impacts to economic activity as public spaces were forced to close to prevent the virus spread. The prolonged quarantine and deteriorating economic condition also led to widening inequality gaps, which affected the country’s strategy in achieving SDGs.
One of the concerning impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is the worsening environmental condition. The most visible evidence is the significant increase of medical and plastic waste which is often mismanaged and ends up in the ocean. Other than waste, cities are also facing challenges in increasing the number of emissions from private vehicles as many people are still afraid of sharing spaces with large groups of people in public transportation. These two problems might be a setback for cities, and countries, in achieving their NDCs in the post COVID-19 era.
Collaborations and Partnerships Opportunities Among Local Governments in Post COVID-19 Era
As vaccine developments are progressing, the world is starting to get back on their feet and so do cities. Despite its devastating impacts, we can’t deny that the pandemic also opens up many opportunities for developments. Many cities, particularly in developing countries, are still struggling with limited capacities and resources to recover from COVID-19 impacts. Therefore, collaboration and partnerships with other stakeholders are seen as one of the alternatives for cities and local governments to accelerate recovery in the post COVID-19 era.
The spirit of getting back stronger and recovered is spreading across borders. Various initiatives have been taken by local governments in the Asia Pacific region to share knowledge and experience, and also to cooperate in building back capacity to play in fostering an inclusive and sustainable environment for their residents.
In 2022, Indonesia will lead the G20 Presidency under the theme “Recovery Together, Recovery Stronger”. With this theme, Indonesia encourages all countries to work together to achieve a stronger and more sustainable world recovery through three priority issues: global health architecture, digital transformation, and sustainable energy transition.
Urban 20 is a city diplomacy initiative that brings together cities from G20 member states under a common framework to discuss global economic, climate, and development issues. Following to the Indonesian Presidency of the G20, Anies Baswedan, the Governor of Jakarta who is also the chair of the 2022 Urban 20 (U20), addressed that “cities have captured the world’s attention and as our world continues to urbanise, they have a crucial role to play in fostering an inclusive and sustainable environment for their residents. I look forward to working with all U20 city leaders to amplify our collective voices during the 2022 G20 Presidency, chaired by Indonesia.”
UCLG ASPAC, as the largest section of cities and local governments association in Asia Pacific, has been continuously supporting its members and working with partners around the world to build back stronger in the post pandemic era through advocacy and strengthening cooperation. UCLG ASPAC has actively implemented capacity building, knowledge-sharing, policy advocacy, networking and partnership to mainstream key priorities related to a green and just recovery, creating opportunities for all and reducing inequality. In the framework of Road to G20 Event, UCLG ASPAC jointly with Ministry of Home Affair (MOHA) Indonesia will be organising a hybrid international event of U20 under the theme “Fostering Collaboration between Cities to Accelerate Solution towards Climate Change, the Pandemic, and Economic Recovery” which will be held in Bandung, West Java on 24 February 2022. This event aims as a platform to showcase the exemplary and good practices and the success of local governments in achieving areas in accordance with the U20 priority issues. This event is also expected as a platform to provide collaboration opportunities between cities in Indonesia, Asia Pacific, and world cities in the economy, cultural exchanges, climate actions, and COVID-19 recovery.
Based on the above context, it should be addressed that the pandemic has exacerbated the climate crisis that has challenged cities’ resiliency. Through future corporations and partnerships, we hope to see more innovative solutions in building the city’s resilience by putting sustainable and just development as priority.
By KM Team
