April 1-4, 2025 | UCLG ASPAC, represented by Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, supported the UCLG World Executive Bureau (ExBu) and the 6th World Forum on Local Economic Development (WFLED) in Seville, Spain. In this global level forum, UCLG ASPAC Secretary General led the joint session on branding strategies and ecotourism, co-organised with the Rural Development Group of Sierra Morena Cordobesa, Spain, and supported by UCLG, which was the highlight of the event. The event brought together more than 2000 participants from Asia, Latin America, and Europe, discussing the role of tourism in driving local economic development.
Joint Session on Branding Strategies and Ecotourism
Led by Dr. Bernadia, the session featured speakers from China (Mr. Wang Jiandong, Secretary General of Xi’an Municipal People’s Government), Ecuador (Mr. Christian Zamora, Mayor of Cuenca City), Dominican Republic (Mr. Nelson Nuñez, Mayor of Samaná Municipality and President of the Municipalities of Dominican Republic), Peru (Mr. Koki Noriega Brito, Governor of Áncash and President of National Assembly of Regional Governments of Peru), and Spain (Mr. Ervigio Núñez Adán, Manager of Rural Development Group of Sierra Morena Cordobesa, and Ms. Esther Rubio Jiménez, Coordinator of ADR La Rioja Oriental). This session highlighted ecotourism as a tool for sustainable and inclusive development.
The session included an interactive Mentimeter survey, gathering real-time responses from over 70 participants. The survey provided the following key insights:
- Benefits of Ecotourism: 51% of participants identified job creation as the top benefit, followed by cultural preservation and environmental conservation.
- Technology’s Impact: 65% believed online booking and digital marketing platforms had the most significant impact on ecotourism experiences.
- Key Factors for Community Benefit: The survey highlighted preserving cultural heritage and profit-sharing from tourism revenues as the top priorities.
- Risks of Ecotourism: 61% of respondents cited environmental degradation as the primary risk associated with ecotourism.
The session underscored the importance of strategic branding, local ownership, and sustainable practices in making ecotourism a vital driver of local economies.
Local Development Models and Heritage Economy
UCLG ASPAC participation included a cultural immersion in Córdoba, a city renowned for its integration of tourism into local economic policy. The visit highlighted Córdoba’s successful approach to:
- Cultural heritage preservation
- Tourism-led job creation
- Community participation in development planning
Further meetings were held with international partners to explore Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) models and ASEAN-level advocacy frameworks.
Strengthening UCLG Governance and Institutional Dialogue
UCLG ASPAC also ensured attendance in several bilateral meetings and statutory discussions:
- UCLG Financial Management Committee: Addressed the restructuring of membership fees, advocating for a shift to a local GDP-based calculation to ensure fairness for subnational governments.
- Committee on Statutory Affairs: Discussed reforms to voting rights within the UCLG Governing Body, including the introduction of gender representation criteria.
- Executive Bureau Meeting: Dr. Bernadia presented UCLG ASPAC’s initiatives, such as strengthening the Standing Committee of Women in Local Government and collaborating with Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) under the Partnership for Local Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) framework. She also highlighted the Gender-Responsive Participatory Budgeting (GRBP) Module, focusing on capacity-building for local governments.
- Strengthening Ties with Members: Strategic dialogues were held with representatives from Andong, Taichung, Yiwu, GARoK, and CPAFCC which discussed collaboration for the UCLG World Council 2025 in Xi’an.
- Strengthening Partnership with UCLG Sections: UCLG ASPAC Secretary General extended invitations for UCLG sections, such as Africa, Eurasia, Latin America, and MEWA, to attend the 10th UCLG ASPAC Congress in Goyang, where a dialogue session between Asia and other sections will be organised.
A meeting with the Goyang delegation was also conducted to discuss the upcoming ASPAC congress, reinforcing the importance of inclusive and coordinated regional leadership. Additionally, a visit to Seville’s historic landmarks was organised to learn about the heritage and tourism management as a tool for economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
UCLG ASPAC’s role in the UCLG World ExBu 2025 and 6th World Forum of Local Economic Development demonstrated its strategic position in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and locally driven development. The mission also strengthened institutional alliances and paved the way for future collaborations, including in promoting the 10th UCLG ASPAC Congress in Goyang and supporting the UCLG World Council 2025 in Xi’an.
