Vientiane International Mayors Forum (VIMF) as Integral Part of the 10th Regional EST Forum in Asia

2017/03/15
Vientiane, Lao PDR

Date:  15 March 2017

Place:  Vientiane, Lao PDR

The Vientiane International Mayors Forum was organized on 15 March 2017 as an integral part of the 10th Regional EST Forum in Asia, being led by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) and UNCRD. The main objective of the Vientiane International Mayors Forum was to provide an international platform for an exchange of experiences among Mayors and other Leaders of Local Governments on the implementation of local level policies and projects to enhance the achievement of Sustainable Cities, as envisaged for implementing the Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) and other related Goals, as well as in line with the New Urban Agenda adopted at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador, in October last year. The Mayors Forum addressed range of sustainable urban development and management issues complimenting the SDGs, such as policies for achieving smart, resilient and low carbon cities, integrated planning for sustainable urban development, participatory planning, financing for SDG 11, conservation of cultural and natural heritage and provision of public space, and making cities more resilient. The participating Mayors and representatives of cities were invited to sign the Addendum to Kyoto Declaration ~ For the Promotion of Environmentally Sustainable Transport ~ Towards Realizing Resilient, Smart and Liveable Cities in Asia.

Presentations
Session I: Policies for Achieving Smart, Resilient and Low Carbon Cities (Joint Session with EST Forum)
Please see EST Forum page.

Session II: Integrated Planning for Sustainable Urban Development - Localizing the SDGs, Addressing the New Urban Agenda
Facilitator/Moderator: Dr. Sandra Ruckstuh, Program Manager, Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

  1. Dr. Sandra Ruckstuh, Program Manager, SDSN
  2. Mr. Chen Huazhen, Deputy Secretary General of Zhanjiang People's Municipal Government and Mr. Xiang Li, Executive Director, SUC Programme Management Center
  3. Hon. Mr. Wasim Akhtar Khan, Mayor, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Pakistan

 

Session III: Public Participation in Urban Planning and Development

Facilitator/Moderator: Prof. Marie Thynell, Associate Professor, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

  1. Hon. Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Mayor of Seberang Perai, Malaysia
  2. Hon. Mr. Mohamed Hilmy, Mayor, Matale Municipal Council, Sri Lanka
  3. Hon. Mr. Desmond Bikoko, Mayor, Lilongwe, Malawi

 

Session IV: Financing for SDG 11

Facilitator/Moderator: Mr. Arturo Ardila-Gomez, Global Lead Urban Mobility and Lead Transport Economist, World Bank

  1. Mr. Arturo Ardila-Gomez, Global Lead Urban Mobility and Lead Transport Economist, World Bank
  2. Hon. Mr. Dato James Chan Khay Syn, Mayor, Kuching City South Council, Malaysia
  3. Mr. Martin Moyo, Bulawayo City, Zimbabwe

 

Session V: Conservation of Urban Cultural and Natural Heritage and Historic Urban Landscapes, Provision of Recreational "Green" and Other Urban Public Spaces

Facilitator/Moderator: Dr. Ralph D. Wahnschafft, Economist, Sustainable Energy and Transport Expert, Germany

  1. Dr. Jae Joon Lee, Former Vice Mayor, Suwon City, Republic of Korea
  2. Hon. Mr. Keophilavanh Aphaylath, Vientiane Vice Mayor, Lao People's Democratic Republic
  3. Mr. Pablo Hernando Barzallo Alvarado, Director of Heritage Building and Site Conservation Programme, Cuenca, Ecuador
  4. Dr. Ralph D. Wahnschafft, Economist, Sustainable Energy and Transport Expert, Germany

 

Session VI: Making Our Cities More Resilient - Implementation of Sendai Framework, Integrating DRR in Urban Planning, Addressing Climate Change Impacts, etc.
Facilitator/Moderator: Mr. Ian Rector, Representative of International Recovery Platform (IRP)/Senior Infrastructure and Resilience Advisor, Asia Region, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

  1. Mr. Ian Rector, Representative of IRP/Senior Infrastructure and Resilience Advisor, Asia Region, UNOPS
  2. Mr. Dadi Budaeri, Regional Secretary, Tangerang Municipality, Indonesia