March 26, 2024 | UCLG ASPAC Secretariat Office in Jakarta received the visit of Mr. Loic Fauchon, the President of the World Water Council (WWC). Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC warmly welcomed WWC President together with Mr. Yoonjin Kim, Director of World Water Council for Asia Pacific Region and The 10th World Water Forum, and Mr. Mohammad Zainal Fatah, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of Indonesia and his delegate.
The meeting highly recognised the important role of cities and local governments and thus specifically encouraged their active participation in the upcoming World Water Forum event. “Local authorities are playing more important roles in water issues,” said Mr. Loic Fauchon. “We will work with local authorities in the Asia Pacific for commitment, concrete and practical solutions to the world,” he added. Dr. Bernadia positively responded to this and expressed her appreciation for the visit.
UCLG ASPAC has been working with local governments and relevant stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific on water and sanitation issues, including the MuNASS programme. UCLG ASPAC also works on transboundary cooperation like the Mekong Corridor Initiative and disaster risk reduction.
In the meeting, Mr. Loic Fauchon emphasised the importance of cooperation, including public and private partnerships to bring more capacity and investment in water-related issues. He added, “We have to better control water resources, reduce the water demand, and increase the quality of water and sanitation.” UCLG World is coordinating the local government’s political process at the 10th World Water Forum by organising the Local and Regional Governments Day. UCLG ASPAC will also organise the side event entitled “International Workshop on Building Smart and Resilient Cities and Communities in Asia and the Pacific: Role of Policy Makers and Planners of Local Governments,” in partnership with UNCRD.
