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24 February 2022 | UCLG ASPAC jointly with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) of Indonesia held an International Seminar Road to Indonesia’s G20 Presidency under the theme “Fostering Collaboration between Cities to Accelerate Solution towards Climate Change, the Pandemic, and Economic Recovery.” Organised on a hybrid mode in Bandung, West Java, this event aimed at showcasing the exemplary and good practices and the success of cities and local governments in achieving areas in accordance with the U20 priority issues; thus, contributing to the upcoming G20 event in November “Recovering Together, Recovering Stronger”.
The event kicked off with important and positive messages from Dr. Heriyandi Roni, M.Si, as Head of Centre for Facilitation of Cooperation, Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Indonesia. He hoped that this international seminar could not only publicise the Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, but also disseminate suggestions from the U20 Engagement Group and to obtain good practices for overcoming problems occurring in urban areas, whose solutions are at the strategic hands of cities and local governments.
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Following Dr. Heriyandi’s remarks, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, addressed how inclusive solutions are of utmost important, with resiliency as the final destination. “We are looking for collaborations to ensure that no one is left behind in the process of recovery from the pandemic and address the climate emergency and the U20 platform for the joint partnership for cities and local governments as part of the solution,” she said.
Inclusivity must also be reflected in economic policies as highlighted by Dr. Eko Prasentyo Purnomo Putro, representing the Secretary General of Ministry of MoHA, which can be strengthened by cities. “Collaboration is important and not to be missed as U20 focuses on green and equitable recovery in cities,” he said.
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During his keynote speech, Mr. Bambang Susantono, Vice President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) echoed Dr. Eko’s emphasis on how urbanisation, particularly in Asian Pacific cities must be properly planned to mitigate the pacts of climate change and narrow the gaps in urban infrastructure. “The pandemic has hit the urban poor and vulnerable the hardest and therefore we need to coordinate spatial design and economic planning, build affordable housing, reduce air and water pollution and many more.”, he said.
To tackle those issues, Mr. Bambang continued how ADB has created the 5E Approach to create liveable cities which are: 1) Economic Competitiveness 2) Environmental Sustainability and Resilience 3) Equity and Inclusiveness 4) Enablers and 5) Engagement.
Upon those messages, Mr. Ali Moechtar, Social Policy Specialist (UNICEF Indonesia) took the floor in moderating the first session; focusing on four speakers to introduce the G20 Presidency of Indonesia and what it means for Indonesian cities and others.
In this session, representatives from U20 Co-chairs from DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Mrs. Sri Hayati) and West Java Provincial Government (Mr. Setiawan Wangsaatmaja) highlighted respective issues and initiatives. For West Java, it is about improving the regional creative economy development with over 1.5 million registered creative economy businesses, waste management, as well as information and communication services. Meanwhile in Jakarta, the spirit of collaboration is continued to be reflected in the Jakarta Development Collaboration Network (JDCN).
Session 2, moderated by Dr. Hendricus Andy Simarmata as Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Planners (IAP), focused on global-regional issues. From the UCLG World Secretariat, Ms. Emilia Saiz, Secretary General, in her video message emphasised how key crucial points of U20 means nothing without the voices of city and local governments, particularly in ensuring that all development is equally felt by all. “Equality is no longer optional,” she said.
The session also involved speakers from local governments network, such as Ms. Millag San Jose-Ballesteros as Global South Diversity Lead of C40 Cities – a network of Mayors collaborating to confront the climate crisis. In terms of recovery, it is now the most strategic time for cities to focus on green climate action. “Climate action is rooted in equity and a green and just future for all as tackling climate change is not independent of socio-economic impacts,” she said.
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That notion is emphasised even more especially now that countries all over the world are rising and recovering from COVID-19, with the Indonesian economy expecting to improve even more this year despite the new COVID-19 variant. “Climate change could occur at an even higher rate, and therefore low carbon development must still become one of the main priorities to keep 1.5 degrees in check,” said Mrs. Ida Suriany, Acting Head Low Carbon Policy and Finance of the British Embassy. At that, she shared how the UK Embassy is collaborating with BAPPENAS (National Development Planning of Indonesia) to review the impact of COVID-19 on strategic plans and its impact on Indonesia’s commitment to net zero 2060 challenges, with specific focus on investment, existence of risk of stranded asset, technology transfer and innovation, and migration to green jobs.
To conclude the session, Mr. Hung Vo, Environment Officer of USAID Indonesia reminded participants to always go back to the potential of cities and local governments as strategic collaborators to tackle important issues like climate change. “Cities are built to collaborate and in recent decades, cities have positioned themselves as centre of growth. Why collaborate? Climate change is a transboundary phenomenon, and collaboration can help cities enhance their combined position in the global economy as well as resolve mutual concerns,” he said.
Therefore, the last session of the International Seminar Road to G20 facilitated by Mr. Bruno Dercon of UN-Habitat showcased exemplary practices of Asia-Pacific cities in paving the way for a just and resilient future. It could be seen that there are major signs of progress in digital transformation, energy transition, climate action and even pandemic prevention. Jambi Mayor in his presentation mainly focused on energy transition with optimisation of waste management systems, is now generating several waste-oriented regulations and policies. Similar initiatives were also found in Mumbai city, represented by Municipal Commissioner, with the city’s aim to shift transportation preferences from private to public such as with the Urban Transportation Project.
Mayor of Makassar and a representative of Xi’an in their presentations focused on digitalisation and growth such as homecare telemedicine services, surveying and mapping systems, improving administrative efficiency, as part of providing better public services. Meanwhile, Surakarta Mayor and Semarang Vice Mayor have been placing priority in creating healthy and inclusive environment such as free, high quality government services such access to healthcare and protecting disability rights and many more. Finally, Seoul City government’s take on a smart safe city is one that utilises technology to enhance safety of its citizens by rapid gathering of data to predict upcoming disasters and COVID-19 response in Guangzhou city is similar in its approach with maximising technology for early detection of surging cases, reporting, timely isolation as well as treatment.
This event concluded with several recommendations to be proposed to the upcoming G20 event in November, including:
- G20 Presidency of Indonesia is important to increase engagement of cities of G20, accommodate cities and local governments in facing global issues, such as climate change and COVID-19 pandemic.
- Cities are the frontliners in promoting sustainable development and supporting resilient recovery from humanitarian crisis caused by COVID-19. Local actions will determine the success of national and international policy. Thus, U20 is an important forum to synchronise national priority and global commitment and to bring perspectives of cities into the priority agenda of G20.
- Extreme poverty is oftentimes centred in urban areas; and government, both central and local, are thriving to accommodate population increase. Creating safe and sustainable city means ensuring access to safe and affordable housings, investment on public transport, creating green space for public, improvement of planning and inclusive management of urban areas, and involvement of various stakeholders.
- Collaboration of various stakeholders is imperative. Role of society, particularly youth in urban areas, are essential in encouraging innovations to promote sustainable development, tackle COVID-19 challenge, and recover the economy.
- Collaboration requires dedication and commitment from all parties.
- MoHA will provide guidelines and supervision for local governments to ensure the effective and efficient administration.
Through this International Seminar, UCLG ASPAC hopes that more and more cities will get inspired through the showcase of innovative solutions, open the space of collaboration even wider, and thus accelerate the recovery at the local level which eventually contributes to the national level.
UCLG ASPAC thanks Ministry of Home Affairs of Indonesia for the great collaboration and all speakers and facilitators for good sharing. We are looking forward to continuing the support in the future.
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