#9 days to Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2015: What can you expect from the congress?

Post by Sharon Ferdinands, ICLEI South Asia

With a rise in natural disasters such as super storms, storm surges, landslides and floods, we are regularly reminded ofthe need to make our cities safer and stronger. The UN human settlements programme estimates that nearly 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, with most of the growth expected to take place in Asia-Pacific. The region will be affected by rising temperatures, water security, sea-level rises, storm surges, extreme weather events, inland and coastal flooding, and food security issues.

Yet, in many cities across the region, there is a limited capacity to identify vulnerabilities and ways to adapt, along with a limited ability to actually make changes. Problems include a lack of provision for infrastructure and urban services such as health and education, and a lack of institutional and investment capacity. Many people are still not aware that climate change poses a significant threat to their families, homes, livelihoods and future economic growth.

No city is entirely safe from natural hazards, but they can be more resilient. Keeping this is mind, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and the World Mayors Council on Climate Change, are pleased to announce Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2015 – The first Asia-Pacific Forum on Urban Resilience and Adaptation. The Congress, to be held in Bangkok from the 11-13 February 2015, originates from the success of the series ‘Resilient Cities – The Annual Global Forum on Urban Resilience and Adaptation’ that attracts hundreds of participants to Bonn, Germany, every year since 2010 and is a clear indication of how pressing the issue of adaptation and urban resilience is perceived to be among local governments worldwide.

The event will offer a combination of high-level plenaries and technical sessions on

• Financing mechanisms
• Green growth
• Regional cooperation
• Urban Nexus
• Climate Compatible Development,
• Linkages to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

What are the key program highlights?

• 11 February 2015, 14:00-15:30: Opening Plenary
• 11 February 2014, 16: 00-17:45: A panel discussion of members from the World Mayors’ Council on Climate Change and ICLEI-ACCCRN Process (IAP) Workbook Launch
• 12 February 2015, 11:00-12:30: Understanding Urban Risks
• 12 February 2015, 14:00-15:30: ACCCRN network launch
• 12 February 2015, 16:00-17:30: A Quick guide for policy makers for Pro-Poor Urban Climate Resilience in the Asia Pacific
• 13 February 2015, 9:30-11:00: Financing Urban Resilience Plenary
• 13 February, 12:00-13:30: Closing and Outlook Plenary

Who will be there?

Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2015 will attract around 200 participants from Asia Pacific and beyond, including Mayors, high ranking city officials, representatives from development and UN agencies, researchers as well as potential financiers.

Who are the key speakers?

• Gino Van Begin, Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
• Mom Rajawongse Sukhumbhand Paripatra, Governor of Bangkok
• Datuk Seri Ir. Hj. Idris bin Hj. Haron, Chief Minister, Melaka, Malaysia
• Shun-ichi Murata, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNESCAP
• Kinlay Dorjee, Mayor, Thimphu City, Bhutan
• Herbert Bautista, Mayor, Quezon City, Philippines
• Bima Arya, Mayor, Bogor, Indonesia

Where can I find more information?