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UCLG Retreat – Setting Priorities and Building Synergies

Represented by Secretary General, Bernadia I. Tjandradewi, UCLG ASPAC contributed in the session to inspire participants from other regions.

THE UCLG Annual Retreat took place in Barcelona, the home of the World Secretariat, from 22-26 January. It was an occasion that gathered the different regional sections and

numerous partners that have driven the network forward, especially members of the Global Taskforce.

Foremost in the Retreat’s agenda was UCLG presenting its three key policy priorities, namely, the 2030 SDGs, implementation of the NUA, and climate change. In this first retreat that newly appointed Secretary General, Emilia Saiz’ leads, she emphasized the importance of solidarity and synergy among the UCLG family in addressing global challenges and in spite of individual work plans. Embracing collaboration in the key work areas of advocacy, learning, monitoring, and follow-up, would be the strategic priority of the organization.

The Secretary-Generals of the sections reported their region’s priorities and opened up possibilities to link more closely with other regions. For Asia Pacific, SG Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi highlighted enabling environment, especially in regard to fiscal decentralization and the lack of urban strategies in many countries. The advocacy for gender units in local government associations, as well as continuing support to local governments and LGA in implementing the SDGs through the roadmap produced by UCLG ASPAC will also be priorities. People-centered development considering the themes of public space, mobility, and disaster risk reduction remains a guiding principle of the ASPAC Secretariat.

Debates and round-tables Discussions that were had during the retreat ensured that various concerns and recommendations were made known by many sides. SG Bernadia Tjandradewi shared ASPAC’s activities on localizing the SDGs in the session “Enhancing GTF Alliance for Localization: Local 2030 Hub for Sustainability Solutions.” She cited the example of Indonesia issuing a ministerial decree in support of the SDGs at local level, as one concrete action that other levels of government or stakeholders can take to materialize SDGs localization.

The Committees, Working Groups, and Communities of Practice also emerged as opportunities for the organization’s members to form synergies. For its part, ASPAC has been supporting the Urban Innovation Community of Practice led by Guangzhou, and plans to step up engagement in the Mobility community which Jakarta City Government co-chairs with Strasbourg. The Culture committee is also a partner, and announced its

call for applications for the 3rd Edition of the “International Award – UCLG – Mexico City – Culture 21” for contributions to culture as a key dimension in sustainable cities.

Click for more info: Culture 21 Awards http://www.agenda21culture.net/award Forward to the 9th World Urban Forum Many participants of the UCLG Retreat, and certainly a greater number of mayors and local leaders, will once again meet for the 9th World Urban Forum to be held in Kuala Lumpur, 7-13 February. Having discussed the role of regional and local governments in SDGs and NUA implementation, the voice of this major group and stakeholder will surely resound and be instrumental at WUF9.

See our Twitter and Facebook @UCLGASPAC for more updates on our contribution in the 9th World Urban Forum

GOLD V Kick-Off Meeting Back-to-back with the UCLG Retreat, a kick-off meeting was held (26-27 January) for the GOLD V Global Report on the Localization of the SDGs. GOLD is the acronym for Global Observatory on Local Democracy and Decentralization. The GOLD reports play a catalyst role in the development of UCLG’s political and advocacy agenda and is thus widely reliant on information and data gathered from the network’s members, validated and analyzed by experts and practitioners from partner institutions, LRGs/LGAs, and UCLG sections. The meeting discussed the general outline and development of the GOLD V, which include chapter contributions from the regional sections, and underscored the importance of linking existing actions on localizing global agenda.