29-30 January 2020 | JAKARTA – With the support from the European Union (EU), UCLG ASPAC has mobilised its members’ joint efforts to strengthen cities’ climate resilience and inclusiveness. Within the framework of Climate Resilience and Inclusive Cities (CRIC) Programme, cities with ambitious commitments will be engaged in a long-term initiative that will enable them to go beyond business-as-usual in responding to the severe and evolving climate-related events.
CRIC programme was launched on 29 January 2020 in Jakarta, and attended by Dr. Ruanda Sugahardiman, Director General of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia; Mr. Hans Farnhammer on behalf of H.E. Vincent Piket, the EU Ambassador to Indonesia; and Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General UCLG ASPAC. More than 80 representatives from 20 local governments in Indonesia, Ministries, national and local development agencies, partner organisations, academic institutions, and the media took part in the launching event.
In conjunction, a high-level panel discussion was held on 20 January 2020. Mayors and high-level officials from various cities and municipalities in Indonesia participated in a discussion that focused on air quality management at sub-national level. During discussion session, The Mayor of Pekanbaru, Mr. Firdaus, shared that the forest and land fire in 2015 has caused the city a significant loss. The airport in Pekanbaru was closed for two months. Challenges to improve on air quality include carbon emission, industrial, and land fire. As the city has strong infrastructure and lies at the heart of Sumatra, they are currently focusing on building 27 strategic industrial areas.
The Mayor of Ternate, Mr. Burhan Abdurahman, shared the city’s work that focuses on disaster mitigation and climate change. Ternate is an island and coastal area that is prone to disasters. It has experienced the impacts of volcano, floods, and abrasion. Dams have been built to prevent floods and re-directed water flow away from the city centre. Evacuation plan has also been strengthened.
Mayor of Pangkal Pinang, Mr. M. Irwansyah, highlighted the beautiful beaches and investment friendliness of the city. The Mayor mentioned that his city’s main issue in resilience was flood. To overcome the challenge, they learned from the experience of Surabaya. The Head of the Jayapura Municipality Development Planning Agency, Mr. Rory C. Huwae, shared the situation of his city including on economic growth acceleration, investments and product development. Jayapura has also built environmental resilience through mapping and accelerating development in slum areas.
Closing the event, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, signed the cooperation agreement with partners for CRIC programme: All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG), Association Des Cites Et Des Regions Pour La Gestion Durable Des Ressources, European network for community-led initiatives on climate change and sustainability (ECOLISE), PILOT4DEV and Universite Paris Est Marne La Valle.
