December 12, 2025 | UCLG ASPAC Co-President and The Governor of Jakarta, Dr. Pramono Anung Wibowo, officially launched the Cities and Local Governments Institute (CLGI) Asia-Pacific Secretariat, marking a significant milestone in advancing evidence-based governance, leadership development, and regional collaboration among cities and local governments across Asia and the Pacific.
As the research and knowledge arm of UCLG ASPAC, CLG Institute is mandated to support local governments in addressing increasingly complex urban challenges. Rapid urbanisation, climate risks, infrastructure pressure, and social inequality demand governance systems that are adaptive, collaborative, and grounded in evidence. The establishment of the Secretariat in Jakarta positions CLGI as a regional hub for applied research and institutional learning that directly responds to these realities.
CLGI Asia-Pacific operates with a clear vision: a future where local governments are empowered by evidence-based policies and practices to build vibrant and equitable communities. Its mission focuses on conducting cutting-edge research, strengthening local government capacity to transform research findings into effective policies, and fostering partnerships among governments, academia, and development partners. Through these efforts, it supports the implementation of global and regional agendas while remaining firmly grounded in the local contexts.
The Institute’s work is structured around six key activities: research, advocacy, capacity building and training, advisory services, monitoring and evaluation, and networking and collaboration. Together, these pillars enable CLGI ASPAC to bridge knowledge and practice.Following the official inauguration, Prof. Ir. Bambang Susantono, MCP, MSCE, Ph.D., Dean of CLGI Asia-Pacific, highlighted the urgency of governance innovation that delivers tangible outcomes:
“Innovation in governance is not about jargon, but about redesigning systems so they actually deliver. Cities operate in real systems, where evidence matters, decisions carry weight, and public trust must be earned. CLGI Asia-Pacific exists to equip local leaders with the capacity to make informed decisions that improve everyday life.”
The Governor of Jakarta emphasised that hosting the CLGI Asia-Pacific Secretariat reflects the city’s commitment to contributing knowledge, experience, and leadership to the wider Asia-Pacific region. Jakarta’s evolving governance landscape provides a practical learning environment for policy experimentation, institutional reform, and cross-city collaboration.
With the Secretariat now officially operational, CLGI ASPAC will accelerate leadership programmes, policy dialogues, and regional knowledge exchange to strengthen the collective capacity of local governments to navigate uncertainty and deliver sustainable, people-centred urban development across Asia and the Pacific.
