UCLG ASPAC - United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific

🌏 Today marks the official opening of the First Session of the 2026 UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau Meetings and the Asia‑Pacific Forum, hosted in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The agenda was inaugurated with a formal ceremony followed by a series of high‑level forums that showcased best practices and knowledge exchange from cities and regions across the Asia‑Pacific and beyond.

Regional members shared a wide range of innovative practices. These included Malaysia’s community‑based homestay programs, Siquijor’s community‑managed tourism sites, and East Java’s strategies to address overtourism in environmentally fragile landscapes. Major urban centers such as Jakarta and Klang Royal City presented successful models for cultural heritage revitalisation and urban river restoration, while coastal cities like Padang and Pangkal Pinang highlighted efforts to strengthen climate resilience through disaster risk reduction measures and mangrove ecosystem restoration.

📺 Watch the forum recording here:
https://www.youtube.com/

🌏Engage in regional dialogue, learn from real city experiences, and contribute to shaping resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures in Asia-Pacific.

Under the theme “Navigating Urban Uncertainty and Strengthening Resilience,” this forum brings together policymakers, academics, and practitioners to explore how cities can move beyond reactive responses and build systemic resilience—transforming urban systems towards sustainability and inclusiveness.

🔗To secure a seat, participants of ExBu Meetings are encouraged to RSVP here:
https://tinyurl.com/KnowledgeForumKendari

📰UCLG ASPAC eNewsletter - Cities and Local Governments in Action Vol. 04, April 2026 is now available!

Catch up on this month’s key highlights as we move closer to the ExBu Meeting in Kendari.

Read here: https://lnkd.in/gdC2aUtC

Delegates are kindly invited to review the Logistical Notes provided in preparation for the meetings.

For full information and the latest detailed programme book, please visit our official website:
https://uclgaspac-connect.org/

A dynamic programme is in the cards, integrating dialogue, collaboration, and local experience. It's more than a meeting agenda as it will bring together policy discussions, knowledge sharing, partnership-buiidling, and closer look at Kendari's local context.

From formal sessions, to city exploration and cultural moments, regional perspectives and local contexts will merge to create a meaningful and grounded exchange among leaders and partners across the Asia-Pacific.

As the capital city of South Sulawesi and home to over 400,000 residents, Kendari is a rapidly developing urban centre with a vibrant local economy, rich cultural diversity, and participants will revel at its close links to the natural beauty of the surrounding region.

From its role as an economic and administrative hub to its connection with tourism, fisheries and cultural heritage, this vibrant city provides a meaningful local context for conversations on sustainable tourism, resilience, and inclusive growth.

At our First Session of the Executive Bureau this year, we will unpack the ideas behind sustainable tourism to foster global exchange of solutions through four key discussions.

It is through these four themes that we hope discussions and dialogue can provide insights for local governments in this dynamic reason to integrate sustainable tourism into their development strategies. That way, tourism models can catalyse both economic and environmental resilience; protecting communities, ecosystems, and long-term livelihoods across the Asia-Pacific.

🌏 The main theme of the First Session of the 2026 UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau and the Asia-Pacific Forum is "Advancing Sustainable Tourism for a Resilient Future and Inclusive Economic Growth." This theme addresses the critical need for local governments to move beyond traditional tourism toward a model that prioritises environmental preservation and social equity. In a region where millions of livelihoods depend on the travel sector, integrating "resilience" and "inclusivity" is a functional necessity to ensure that urban development can withstand climate challenges while providing long-term stability for all citizens.

🏙️ Kendari is a vibrant and rapidly developing city known for its beautiful coastline, rich culture, and inclusive identity. These qualities make it an ideal setting to discuss key themes of urban development and sustainability during the First Session of the 2026 UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau Meeting. Through its commitment to cultural heritage, biodiversity, and community-based tourism, Kendari highlights how locally driven initiatives can support sustainable growth and improve community well-being.