Three-day international conference: Rama off to Indonesia for talk on “sustainable urbanization”

CEBU, Philippines - At no cost to the city, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will leave the country today for a speaking engagement in Wakatobi Regency, Indonesia for a three-day United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) conference.

This was after Wakatobi Regency Mayor Hugua invited Rama last July 23 to deliver an expert presentation during group’s plenary session, specifically on “sustainable urbanization.”

“We would like to have your valuable knowledge and experience in the  Plenary Session on Sustainable Urbanization…the session will provide significant information and insight how cities enhancing their role in sustainable urban development and committed to implement and actively promote urban sustainability,” read the invitation.

In Rama’s absence, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella will act as mayor until next week.

With a limited 10-minute presentation, Rama is expected to share Cebu City’s best practices, particularly on sustainable urban development. Similarly, chief executives of other highly-urbanized cities invited to the meeting will also give their own presentations.

The concept note of the conference program stated that with half of the world’s population living in urban areas, “it is an urgent need to promote urban sustainability and to assure (that) decision and policy making by cities (are) intended towards sustainable urban development.”

The conference will also tackle good governance, with the speakers expected to provide participants information on their cities’ implementation of good governance system with focus on “new urban agenda.”

Also, speakers should share about their cities’ “one-stop service” and how their respective people participate in decision making.

Another session requires speakers to present policies and scenario for developing a low-carbon society.

“Low-Carbon Society is the new revolutionary development paradigm that sustains economic growth while at the same time ensuring climatic and environmental sustainability. All the world’s countries need to unite to make efforts to establish a low-carbon society by reducing global emissions by half from the current level by 2050,” read the conference’s concept note.

Issues and solutions on transportation, waste management, and renewable energy would also be discussed. — (FREEMAN)