UCLG ASPAC – MoHA in Jambi Meeting: Towards Prolific Collaboration

February 27-28, 2023 | UCLG ASPAC and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (MoHA) successfully held the 2023 meeting of Coordination and Evaluation of the Cooperation, hosted by City Government of Jambi. The meeting is part of the UCLG ASPAC-MoHA agreement to ensure the increased participation of and benefits for member cities and local governments in Indonesia, the host country of the UCLG ASPAC Secretariat.  

The meeting was attended by more than 100 participants, city officials representing 26 Indonesian cities and regencies; MoHA, the State Secretary, and the National Secretariat for SDGs/Ministry of National Development Planning. In this meeting, UCLG ASPAC also invited PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI), a State-Owned Enterprise dedicated to achieving sustainable development for investors, government, and society.   

#1 DAY: UCLG ASPAC – MoHA Coordination and Evaluation Meeting

The meeting was graced by UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, the Acting Head of Centre of Cooperation Facilitation (FASKER), MoHA, Mr. Eric Estrada, SH, MH, and Dr. H. Syarif Fasha, S.E., M.E., Mayor of Jambi.

In the evaluation meeting, UCLG ASPAC presented activities conducted in 2022 and plan in 2023. Included in the plan are the 9^th UCLG ASPAC Congress in Yiwu; ASEAN Mayors Forum 2023; localisation of the MoHA’s minister regulation on minimum public service delivery by local governments; support to cities and local governments in the development of Voluntary Local Review (VLR) and Voluntary Sub-National Review (VSR); strengthening city-to-city cooperation through Member Dashboard development; and various capacity building and knowledge exchange activities in different fields such as Belt and Road Youth Forum of the 2050 Conference and International E-commerce Training Workshop, Chinese Language Training Programme; and exchange programme in tourism field among UATC member cities.

The representative from MoHA (FASKER) highlighted several points for evaluation discussion: (1) Synergy and Benefits of Collaboration by the Internal Work Unit of the MoHA; (2) Synergy and Benefits of Collaboration by the cities and local governments that are members of UCLG ASPAC; (3) Local Governments’ Challenges and Constraints in membership in UCLG ASPAC; (4) Achievements and Good Practices as the result of Collaboration; (5) Favorable policy for continued support to UCLG ASPAC.

Responding to UCLG ASPAC activity plan 2023, five members (City of Samarinda, City of Jambi, City of Pangkal Pinang, City of Banjarmasin, and Regency of Ogan Komering Ilir) shared their positive responses and expectations for upcoming activities, including capacity building for labour; expert certification; creative economy programme; green building; assistance to develop VLR; eco-tourism; internship/secondment programme and short-courses for Indonesian local governments; and knowledge exchange on carbon trade. City Government of Yogyakarta and Regency Government of North Minahasa (both city members) also shared positive feedbacks and the North Minahasa Regency specifically proposed to get facilitation for collaboration and cooperation to develop their eco-tourism and optimise opportunities for their commodity (coconut oil). Closing the first day meeting, UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia responded to the proposal shared by members. In terms of facilitating international cooperation, she suggested that local governments to draft a plan on their expected international cooperation, which includes their priorities. As for learning exchange, she added that UCLG ASPAC will explore internship opportunities for Indonesia’s local governments to city members in other countries in the region. And on Carbon Trade issues, UCLG ASPAC will hold a workshop on carbon trade by inviting competent speakers. in line with the upcoming plans. Dr. Bernadia also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of membership fees. She mentioned that it keeps the Organisation independent to take necessary actions including amplify the voice of local governments.

#2 DAY: Knowledge Sharing with PT SMI, Bappenas, and Seoul Metropolitan Government

Intensive discussion took place between city representatives and PT SMI, such as the City of Balikpapan, committed to developing a low-emission city, shared their expectation to get assistance in the development of waste and water management and support for expanding their green public space for environmentally friendly development. The City of Yogyakarta also expressed their interested in knowledge management related to project from preparation up to implementation of funding and suggested that PT SMI and UCLG ASPAC hold training related to project preparation and project implementation that can be funded by PT SMI. Responding to these, PT SMI signaled positive possibility. For the City of Balikpapan, PT SMI mentioned the possibility of direct funding under the Government and Enterprise Collaboration Budget scheme. As for the City of Yogyakarta, PT SMI mentioned they are ready to give assistance and suggested to strengthen the city’s feasibility study.

In VLR Socialisation session, the City of Surabaya shared its experience and practice during their VLR development in 2021. The VLR of Surabaya was accommodated in Indonesia’s VNR that was presented at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development/HLPF 2021. Participants showed positive responses. City of Samarinda, Jambi, and Balikpapan indicated their willingness to develop VLR and expected assistance from UCLG ASPAC in the development process.  

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