To emphasize the crucial role of state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Climate Information Services, the UPLB Interdisciplinary Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (INREM) participated in the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) at the National Convention Centre (NCC) in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from September 18 to 19, 2024.

The United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), in collaboration with the GIZ Urban Act Project, organized a special session during AMF 2024 on the City Enabling Environment for Environmental and Climate Governance (CEE-ECG). 

This session highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks and promoting best practices to enhance climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

On September 19, Dr. Rose Jane Peras, an INREM technical staff member, discussed how SUCs, including UPLB through INREM, empower local government units (LGUs) to understand and tackle climate change. 

Dr. Peras emphasized the role of SUCs as sources of scientific research and their potential contributions to local policy development, including management plans. She also showcased some of INREM’s research, development, and extension (RDE) projects, illustrating the collaborative efforts among SUCs, national government agencies (NGAs), and LGUs.

Additionally, Dr. Peras highlighted the benefits of the community of practice (CoP) for LGUs in building adaptive and resilient communities. The CoP serves as a collaborative platform for individuals and institutions to facilitate knowledge sharing and enhance capacity building in climate information delivery and utilization. 

Establishing CoP is one of the objectives of INREM’s ongoing project, “Modeling Climate Information Services (CIS) Application in the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through Tripartite Collaborations (SUC-NGA-LGU)” in Region II, Northern Philippines.

From the LGU perspective, Dr. Orlando Balderama, vice president for research and development at Isabela State University (ISU), represented Hon. Caesar “Jaycee” Dy, Jr., mayor of Cauayan City. Dr. Balderama presented ISU’s current partnerships with Cauayan City regarding CIS development and its implications for local policy.

AMF is an annual event that underscores the local governments’ vital roles and contributions to ASEAN and global development. 

It provides a platform for local political leaders, policymakers, international development partners, and experts to discuss how cities and local governments can collaborate in priority areas to implement ASEAN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address urbanization and climate challenges. 

This year, the AMF was held with  the Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC), themed “Enhancing Connectivity & Resilience for Sustainable Development of ASEAN Cities.” 

The forum addressed six collaborative topics: smart cities, sustainable and livable cities, green tourism, sustainable economic development, environmentally sustainable cities, and climate resilience.

“Despite each ASEAN city’s unique designs and features, they all face broader challenges and can learn from one another in adopting smart solutions for urban planning and governance. By sharing experiences and best practices, we can collectively build cities that are better equipped to thrive in the face of future challenges. 

This collaborative spirit is at the heart of today’s discussion on the connectivity and resilience of ASEAN cities. The future of our ASEAN Community will be shaped by the choices we make today in urban planning and development strategies. 

“By embracing innovation and collaboration, we can transform our cities into vibrant hubs of opportunity and resilience,” said H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, secretary general of ASEAN, during the opening ceremony.