On 1 August 2023, the 2023 ASEAN Mayors Forum took place in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was organised by United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), one of the consortium partners of the IKI regional project Urban-Act, being implemented in China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The ASEAN Mayors Forum is a platform for state and provincial leaders to share knowledge and development experience in the region. As part of the parallel session titled “Building Resilient Cities and Climate Action”, Mr Heinrich Gudenus, the Director of the Urban-Act project, and Ms Liu Yang, Deputy Director of the Xi’an Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, delivered speeches online.
Present at the event were representatives from the UCLG ASPAC and country partners of the Urban-Act project, like the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and national governments of the Philippines and Indonesia, all serving as speakers. Approximately 50 participants, both online and offline, joined the conference.
The main goal of this event was to drive the adoption of climate change policies, enhance the adaptability and resilience of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cities, and engage in discussions regarding strategies, measures, and pilot initiatives pertaining to climate protection and emissions reduction. This gathering highlighted the unwavering commitment of the participating nations to tackle climate challenges, promote regional collaboration, and propel climate action across various domains.
