September 17, 2026 | UCLG ASPAC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, convened a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Meeting to review the implementation of cooperation conducted throughout the 2024–2027 period. The M&E meeting has been regularly organised, particularly in relation to Indonesia’s role as the host country of the UCLG ASPAC Secretariat Office, ensuring cities and local governments in Indonesia receive optimum benefits.
Bringing together 52 participants representing approximately 19 local governments, as well as representatives from the Indonesian Ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, represented by the Centre for Facilitation of International Cooperation (FASKER) and the Directorate General of Regional Development (Bangda), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), the meeting assessed the achievements and progress, discussing challenges and lessons learned, including good practices among UCLG ASPAC members in Indonesia and gathering perspectives from relevant national and local stakeholders. The discussion also explored priorities for strengthening cooperation towards 2027.
Impacts We Create: Learning, Capacity Building, Networking, International Cooperations
Discussion started with cities and local governments acknowledging the benefits they have received from UCLG ASPAC throughout 2026.
- Ms. Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal, Mayor of Banda Aceh, highlighted the city’s learning and exchange in areas including waste management, disaster resilience, gender inclusion, and local development, while also raising challenges related to administrative and licensing processes for international participation.
- Dr. Ir. Hugua, M. Ling., Vice Governor of Southeast Sulawesi, reflected on the strategic role of local governments in international engagement and public diplomacy, emphasising the importance of translating international participation into practical opportunities, including economic cooperation and the promotion of regional potential.
- Mr. Muhammad Saiful, Head of Bappeda of Kendari, highlighted Kendari’s growing international engagement, including the city’s hosting of the 2026 UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau Meeting and Asia-Pacific Forum, as well as progress towards city-to-city cooperation with Yiwu, China.
- Mr. Syahruddin, Head of Bapperida of Bontang City, shared Bontang’s efforts to explore international financing and technical support for waste management, including digital waste management, waste sorting, and waste-to-energy approaches.
- Ms. Idfi Septiani, Head of Cooperation Division of Samarinda City, shared Samarinda’s experience in using the Voluntary Local Review (VLR) and Climate Action Plan (CAP) to strengthen local planning, climate action, and engagement with communities and development partners.
- Meanwhile, Mr. Sefferson Sumampouw, Head of Planning and Finance Division of North Minahasa Regency, presented North Minahasa’s experience in progressing from membership and capacity building towards stronger leadership and regional and international representation.
Addressing Challenges and Expanding Opportunities
Key concerns raised during the meeting included the lengthy administrative process for obtaining approvals for overseas travel and international participation.
The discussion also covered opportunities cities and local governments would like to receive in the following years, including international financing, trade and local products, coastal development, labour mobility, and access to international cooperation programmes. The Ministry highlighted that international cooperation could extend beyond traditional Sister City arrangements to include technical cooperation and partnerships with foreign universities, NGOs, international organisations, and other institutions.
UCLG ASPAC Secretariat also encouraged members to actively update their UCLG ASPAC Member Dashboard, enabling potential partners to better understand local priorities, identify local products and services, and explore opportunities for cooperation.
Strengthening Cooperation Towards 2027
The outcomes of the M&E meeting will provide inputs for discussions on the future scope and priorities of cooperation, as the current cooperation framework runs until 2027. UCLG ASPAC is looking forward to making further improvements, ensuring optimum benefits for cities and local governments, particularly in Indonesia, the host country of the UCLG ASPAC Secretariat Office.
