Philippine Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, delivered the inaugural remarks for the 2018 ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF), held in the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore on 7 July 2018. The AMF, themed “Building Sustainable and Smart Development in ASEAN Cities and Region,” was held at the sidelines of the World Cities Summit.
The Forum welcomed Mayors and Governors from Southeast Asian cities and local governments, including Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. Taguig Mayor Maria Laarni L. Cayetano is currently the Acting Chair of the Forum, which she also chaired in 2017.
In her remarks, Ambassador Buensuceso emphasized the focus accorded by the Leaders of ASEAN to the important role played by local governments in ASEAN community-building across the three pillars as contained in the Chairman’s Summary of the 32nd ASEAN Summit. She said, “ASEAN Leaders underscored the important role of cities, leveraging on innovation and technology, to improve the lives of all the peoples of ASEAN.” She added that as a result, the ASEAN Leaders “agreed to establish an ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) to synergize development efforts, share best practices and catalyze more opportunities for growth, innovation, capacity-building and sustainable development.” She commended the AMF as a “worthy endeavor that helps ensure that local governments across ASEAN help each other in improving the lives of the peoples they serve, a true embodiment of realizing a people-centered, people-oriented ASEAN.”
Ambassador Buensuceso also discussed that one of the major projects in the initial stages of implementation under the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 is to Develop Sustainable Urban Strategies in ASEAN Cities, a project funded by the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Fund. It takes into account important factors in attaining sustainable and livable cities such as inclusiveness, especially as it pertains to housing, environment, economic efficiency, health and cultural heritage. As outlined by the Ambassador, the project will have 3 main elements: (1) create an index on smart urbanization; (2) create a platform that would allow city-level officials in ASEAN to share best practices; and (3) launch an initiative on smart transport models in ASEAN cities.
Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso (4th from right) pose for an official photo with the high-level AMF delegates.
Philippine representatives to the Forum included Governor Albert Garcia of Bataan Province, Mayor Francis Garcia of Balanga City, Mayor Stephanie Uy-Tan of Catbalogan City, Mayor Madelaine Alfelor of Iriga City and Mayor Sally Ante-Lee of Sorsogon City. Theyalso presented the best practices of their respective cities and municipalities in addressing challenges concerning disaster management, human resources and skills developments, health risks and transport management.
The AMF is a Forum in which Mayors, Governors and local government leaders across Southeast Asia can network, foster policy debate, and support sharing of expertise and good practices among local governments in ASEAN Member countries on the specific themes identified as priorities.
The 4th AMF was organized by the United Cities and Local Governments in Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) and the Singapore-based Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC). AMF 2017 was hosted by the Philippines, then Chair of ASEAN, at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
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