20-23 February 2024 | Bangkok – UCLG ASPAC participated in the 11th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) taking the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions in Asia and the Pacific”, organised by ESCAP from February 20 to 23, 2024 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. UCLG ASPAC led the coordination of the first Local and Regional Government Assembly on February 19, 2024, under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Local Government Coordinating Body (APLG) and hosted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Opening
In the opening remarks, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, stated that change happens at the local level and it is where problems of the people are solved. He acknowledged the importance of the assembly, collaboration, and learning from others. On behalf of UCLG ASPAC President and Governor of Quirino Province, Mr. Dakila Carlo Cua, UCLG ASPAC Co-President and Mayor of Dhulikel Municipality, Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha delivered opening remarks that highlighted how local and regional governments are the backbone of sustainable development. In her video message, Mrs. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), remarked that “without local actions, especially on climate, we will not achieve any of the SDGs”.
Local Regional Assembly
The LRG Assembly discussed how local and regional governments are advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the enabling environment needed to effectively contribute to the acceleration of the SDGs. Participants examined the SDGs under review at the APFSD, including Goal 1 (No Poverty); Goal 2 (Zero Hunger); Goal 13 (Climate Action); Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and Goal 17 (Partnership for the Goals). The Joint Statement of Local and Regional Governments to the 11th APFSD was adopted as an outcome document of the Assembly submitted to the APFSD. Please click here to assess the outcome document.
Results
Results of the discussion from the LRG Assembly were delivered in the relevant plenary sessions of the APFSD.
- Ms. Belen Fernandez, Mayor of Dagupan City, highlighted the importance of SDGs localisation and enabling environment for local and regional governments, and expressed the commitment to realise a sustainable and resilient Asia-Pacific region.
- Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, called for national governments to harmonise the Voluntary Subnational Review (VSR) and Voluntary Local Review (VLR) with the Voluntary National Review (VNR) to enhance multilevel dialogue and policy coherence on the SDGs.
- Atty. Raul Corro, National Chairman of the Philippine Councillors League, emphasised that local and regional governments are developing and implementing local clean air and climate action plans, and the need to develop climate financing matchmaking tools and to facilitate direct access to sustainable climate financing including the loss and damage fund, to accelerate concrete actions on SDG 13.
Side Events
UCLG ASPAC co-organised two side events during the APFSD. On February 21, 2024, at the side event “Financing Local Actions for SDG13: Enabling Frameworks to Accelerate City Climate Finance in Asia-Pacific,” as one of the Urban Act pilot cities in the Philippines, the Mayor of Tagbilaran City, Ms. Jane Censoria Caje-Yap, underscored that climate action does not depend on government leaders alone but on the involvement of all stakeholders.
On February 22, 2024, at the side event “The Rise of New and Emerging Cities in Asia: Leveraging VLRs for a Sustainable Urban Future”, Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, shared his experience in developing the first VLR in Nepal, and Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General, delivered her closing remarks.
In the 11th APFSD, the Asia-Pacific SDG Partnership Report 2024 was launched. Prior to this, ESCAP launched the Asia and the Pacific SDGs Progress Report 2024. The Report of the 11th APFSD will serve as the region’s input to the HLPF to be held in July 2024 in New York.
