MGMAC & AMF 2023 In Jakarta Completed, This Is The Contents Of The Joint Declaration Of Regional Heads In ASEAN

JAKARTA - The 2023 ASEAN Mayors of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) and ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) held by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government have been completed.

This meeting of regional heads throughout ASEAN lasted for two days. Today, the MGMAC and AMF trials were held which resulted in a joint declaration (joint declaration) which was agreed upon by the ASEAN state delegates.

"The Joint Declaration contains an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development in order to support the development of the ASEAN Community," said Heru at the Fairmont Hotel, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, August 2.

In this trial, Heru Budi also handed over the chairmanship of MGMAC to the Governor of Vientiane, Laos, Atsaphangthong Sryptone, symbolically with a Golden Layered Palu, made of strong sonokeling wood symbolizing the city-city commitment to building ASEAN. Later, Laos will host the MGMAC and AMF 2024.

"We all hope that the chairmanship of Indonesia in ASEAN can accept the aspirations of ASEAN city leaders produced in the MGMAC and AMF 2023. Because, we believe that sustainable urban development will support the collective goal of strengthening ASEAN's position as the center of regional economic growth for the prosperity of the ASEAN people and the world," explained Heru.

The following is the content of the joint declaration of MGMAC 2023:1. Urge ASEAN Leaders to formalize Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) and ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) to channel local government aspirations that support the development process of the ASEAN Community, such as improving urban-village relations and the role of intermediate cities (intermediary cities) to accelerate rural transformation.

2. Strive for inclusive economic growth that encourages better living conditions and economic opportunities and ensures adequate, safe, and nutritious access to food for all, including children, women, adolescents, the elderly, people with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.

3. Accelerate digital transformation with a coherent, harmonious, and regulator-based approach to various stakeholders and ensure that the government, the private sector, and the ASEAN community are equipped with relevant digital transformation skills, competencies, and values to address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the changing world of work.

4. Committed to overcoming the challenges of climate change and the environment by enhancing cooperation and partnerships; advancing the relationship between climate action and promoting conservation and utilization of biodiversity and a sustainable ecosystem; implementation of a nature/ecosystem-based approach as well as advances in science, technology, and innovation to accelerate the achievement of sustainable resilience; making cities more habitable by balancing sustainable economic growth and utilization of natural resources and environmental protection; as well as prioritizing investment in sustainable mobility that increases the use of public transport modes, walking and cycling to improve public health and reduce inequality.

5. Strengthen urban health architectures that serve as the basis for achieving better social-economic growth and well-being for ASEAN communities to ensure more effective mechanisms for prevention, preparedness, and response in dealing with potential infectious diseases, climate change, and ecosystem degradation.

6. Encourage green financing to develop and promote private investment in sustainable urban projects through innovative and mixed financing schemes to fund city development initiatives and rely on cost-effective business and private partnerships.

Meanwhile, the joint declaration of AMF 2023 is the following branch: 1. Urge ASEAN Leaders to normalize the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) as the integrated ASEAN Sectoral Agency that channel local government aspirations to deepen the process of developing the ASEAN community.

2. Strengthen efforts and reaffirm dedication to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy, and the ASEAN Smart Cities Framework. We will improve regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and capacity building to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. By working together, we aim to create a tough, habitable, inclusive, and sustainable city that improves welfare and quality of life for all ASEAN citizens.

3. Embrace the principles of sustainability to create a resilient, habitable, and prosperous urban environment for the current and future generations. Continuing our commitment to sustainability, we further promote sustainable urban planning and implementation, efficient resource management, inclusive urban economic growth, and climate resilience.

4. Follow-up to the opportunity to contribute to the development of the ASEAN Community Vision Post-2025. With the AMF as an entity linked to ASEAN, we will involve our community to draw up a visionary Post-2025 Vision that reflects the aspirations and needs of our diverse communities, as well as encourage ASEAN towards a brighter, peaceful, and sustainable future.

5. Facilitating learning, capacity building opportunities, and development opportunities between cities and local governments in ASEAN are in line with ASEAN Community Vision 2025 strategic priorities, ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy, ASEAN Smart Cities Network, and their respective follow-up. We will strengthen knowledge exchange, peer-to-peer learning, best practices sharing, and technical and managerial cooperation between cities and local governments.

6. Ensuring the involvement of meaningful women, especially in the process of local decisions-making in cities and local governments in ASEAN. Recognizing the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment, we seek to create an inclusive and gender responsive environment that promotes women's leadership and participation.

7. Promote sustainable economic development for the prosperity of our cities and regions through entrepreneurial development and innovation, as well as encouraging the development of green and blue economic investment in sectors that produce decent jobs, encourage technological and industrial progress for MSMEs, and contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our city. We will also explore synergies with the ASEAN Villages Network to promote rural development.

8. Increase our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote efficiency and energy conservation, and the transition to renewable energy sources. We are then committed to increasing our adaptive capacity to address climate-related challenges, including sea level rise, extreme weather events, food security, and water management, and to ensure the resilience of our urban and rural communities.

9. Supporting sustainable urban mobility and digital transformation towards connectivity and better quality of life for all ASEAN citizens. With a vision to improve the quality of life of all ASEAN citizens, we will prioritize the development of an efficient and inclusive transportation system that reduces congestion and emissions, as well as improves accessibility. Embrace smart city solutions, we aim to leverage technology to improve public services, connectivity, and citizen involvement.

10. Hand over ASEAN member countries (ASEAN Member States or AMS) to create and strengthen supporting environments, including access to finance, and investment and cross-border economic cooperation, to unlock the potential of cities and local governments. We urge AMS to establish policies, regulations and a profitable mechanism that facilitates financial support for local initiatives. This includes streamlining procedures, providing affordable credit options, and promoting innovative financing models.