January 13-15, 2025 | UCLG ASPAC Humanitarian, Development, and Peace (HDP) Nexus Committee supported the organisation of Green Official Development Assistance (ODA) Capacity-Building Workshop for Local Governments, part of the Asia-Pacific Local Government ODA Capacity Building Project, reinforcing the role of local governments in international development cooperation. The project was designed to enhance the international development capacity of local governments in the region, particularly in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17: Strengthening the Means of Implementation and Revitalising the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
The Green ODA Capacity-Building Workshop for Local Governments brought together 12 representatives from UCLG ASPAC member cities and local governments including two Urban-Act project pilot cities (Padang and Khon Kaen City), fostering peer learning on climate-resilient urban development. Sessions covered key topics such as Green ODA policy implementation, climate finance, and sustainable development strategies. Participants developed nine (9) action plans to integrate climate adaptation measures within their local governance frameworks. The workshop achieved a 97% satisfaction rate, exceeding the original target of 90%, highlighting its effectiveness in knowledge transfer and capacity building.
Tangible Outcomes
1. Strengthening International Cooperation
- The project facilitated stronger regional collaboration among local governments, establishing a platform for continued engagement in ODA projects.
- The HDP Nexus Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing knowledge-sharing and policy coordination among its member cities.
2. Addressing Challenges and Lessons Learned
- The need for enhanced inter-governmental communication was identified, leading to the proposal of a regularised exchange program and online knowledge-sharing platform.
- Differences in economic capacity and administrative structures across participating regions were addressed by customising capacity-building programmes to specific local needs.
- Expanding the participation of women and youth in ODA-related governance was highlighted as a key area for future workshops and initiatives.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Green ODA Initiatives
The project’s success underscores the importance of local governments in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient development. Moving forward, UCLG ASPAC aims to:
- Continue collaborative Green ODA initiatives through targeted training and funding support.
- Expand engagement with additional local governments to enhance regional ODA networks.
- Strengthen the institutional capacity of local government officials by integrating Green ODA principles into governance frameworks.
This initiative marks a significant step toward fostering a more resilient and interconnected network of local governments in the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrating the pivotal role of subnational actors in achieving global development goals.
The HDP Nexus Committee is led by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government which aims to understand and support the actions of local governments and key stakeholders on peace building activities in international development cooperation in Asia and the Pacific. The HDP Nexus also aims to support local governments tackling global challenges including natural disaster, climate change, international conflicts and many other humanitarian crises. Since its establishment in 2021, HDP Nexus Committee has been conducting its annual training and capacity building on ODA related issues.
