Now on its third year, the Asia-Pacific Mayors Academy held its virtual opening and conduct of the first module on 14 December 2021. A total of 15 Mayors have been selected from 9 countries as Fellows for the third cohort: Ismayilli Region, Naftalan, and Shusha (Azerbaijan), Chandpur and Gazipur (Bangladesh), Gelephu Thromde (Bhutan), Kochi (India), Ternate (Indonesia), Taribo and Tabiteuea Island Council (Kiribati), Sepang and Kuala Selangor District Council (Malaysia), Fuvahmulah (Maldives), and Iloilo and Vigan (Philippines).
In her video message, UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi congratulated the Mayors. She expressed how the Academy was designed to strengthen their capacities and build a network in order to better equip them in dealing with urban issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the biggest challenges for sustainable urban development identified by the Mayors during their self-introductions included lack of funds, lack of awareness and commitment among stakeholders, and climate change adaptation.
During the dialogue with alumni, Cauayan City Mayor Mr. Bernard Faustino Dy shared his experiences in developing an initiative addressing the challenge on resiliency as the city is prone to 20 typhoons in a year. He reported that the building of resettlement areas and construction of rainwater harvesting under open spaces are underway. He added that the city is also working on getting the ISO 37122 certification on smart cities. Module 1 introduced global development frameworks relevant to cities such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Paris Climate Change Agreement, Sendai Framework, New Urban Agenda, and Addis Ababa Action Agenda. An overview of the Voluntary Local Review was also integrated in the discussion. The third batch of the Asia-Pacific Mayors Academy has six (6) modules that are introduced to mayors from December 2021 to June 2022. UCLG ASPAC was involved in the development of Module 2 on COVID-19 Recovery.
The Asia-Pacific Mayors Academy was created by UN ESCAP, UN Habitat, UCLG ASPAC and others. It was inspired by UCLG Africa’s Academy of Local Authorities (ALGA). For more information on the Asia-Pacific Mayors Academy, visit https://www.asiapacificmayorsacademy.org/.