The 5th ASEAN Mayors Forum 2019
Summary of the 5th ASEAN Mayors Forum 2019
Mission Group: Administrative Section
- Meeting name/Discussion topic
The 5th ASEAN Mayors Forum 2019: Driving Local Actions for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
- Location
The United Nations Convention Centre (UNCC), Bangkok
- Date
26 ‐ 28 August 2019
- Summary
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, in collaboration with United Cities and Local Governments of Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) co-hosted the 5th ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) from 26 – 27 August 2019 at the United Nations Conference Center, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.
On 26 August 2019, at Conference Room 1, United Nations Conference Center (UNCC). Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, Governor of Bangkok, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, Dr. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, and H.E. Mr. Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand welcomed the participants of the 5th ASEAN Mayors Forum which consists of the Governor of Bangkok, Mayor, and local government leaders from all 10 ASEAN member countries, as well as representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN member embassies in Thailand, Non-ASEAN member embassies in Thailand, United Nations, international organizations both national and local level, Thai government agencies, academics, and the private sector, etc., totaling 300 people.
Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, Governor of Bangkok, mentioned the background and main objective of the meeting which serves as a forum for exchanging knowledge, opinions, and experiences on sustainable urban development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global agenda from the United Nations, by emphasizing the development of people’s quality of life as an important goal. Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General of UCLG ASPAC, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation that will help strengthen our mission to build resilient cities to deal with various changes, especially changes in climate change.
General Anupong Paojinda, Minister of Interior, gave opening remarks at the 5th ASEAN Mayors Forum by mentioning the importance of driving sustainable development according to the United Nations framework to strengthen ASEAN solidarity both politically, economically, socially, and culturally, as well as pushing for concrete cooperation between ASEAN member countries to maintain unity and mutual benefit and promote ASEAN cooperation in building a people-centric ASEAN Community that leaves no one behind, which in line with the urgent government policy of developing economic areas and spreading prosperity to the region and creating development opportunities in both economic and social aspects. Including reducing inequality in development to create strong communities and peaceful urban societies.
During the meeting, city representatives and meeting participants jointly conveyed their vision and exchanged experiences for application in the sustainable development of cities in the ASEAN region under 3 important elements, which Thailand places importance on and aims to promote as the ASEAN Chairman in 2019 namely, (1) Creating sustainability for sustainable ASEAN community (creating sustainability in every dimension) (2) Advancing towards ASEAN digital (preparing for the future) and (3) Collaborate towards a seamless ASEAN (strengthen connections). Additionally, also takes into account the connection and mutual support between the ASEAN Mayors Forum and other cooperation frameworks such as the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, developing efficient urban expansion and finding ways to solve problems and challenges that will lead to stronger cooperation between mayors in ASEAN and partners around the world.
After the meeting, City leaders and local government from ASEAN member countries issued a joint statement from the 5th ASEAN Mayors Forum, which will incorporate the results of the meeting and recommendations received will be used as a framework for further work at other levels. Including the 7th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum organized by UNESCAP in Malaysia between 15–17 October 2019.
Next steps:
The meeting focused on building cooperation among cities in ASEAN member countries to drive local action for sustainable and inclusive growth in line with the visionary goals of the 20-year Bangkok Development Plan to make Bangkok a metropolis of Asia. Therefore, this has been brought to the attention of the Governor of Bangkok for his consideration.
Reporter:
Miss Waranan Thammachot
Foreign Relations Officer, Practitioner Level
Planning and City Capacity Development Division
International Affairs Office of the Permanent Secretary, Bangkok
Tel. 0 2224 8177
