Details

General Objective

The objective of the 1.5 days conference is to start a permanent dialogue among local government associations (LGAs), high level government representatives and ASEAN as well as civil society. The framework of this dialogue should be the support of the role of local governments and the harmonisation of regional priorities within local governance throughout Southeast Asia.

Specific Objective

The conference aims at generating a consensus among stakeholders to solicit the national governments, the ASEAN and international institutions for adopting particular propositions on decentralization and good local governance development agendas through a multi-stakeholder approach.

Expected outcome

At the end of the conference it is hoped that a declaration, which reflects common views and initiatives among participants to support decentralization and good local governance, is produced. More importantly, this conference is expected to create a permanent regional forum on the strengthening good local governance and decentralization by involving all stakeholders.

Conference Outline

The discussions during the conference will basically revolve around the two main topics: 1. setting the foundation for a joint declaration based on the presented policy recommendations as well as 2. strengthening regional cooperation on good local governance between stakeholders.

Herewith, one part is focused on the presentation of the findings of the policy recommendations identified by the two EU projects. The basis for these recommendations are the regional study on decentralisation of the “Supporting Decentralization in Developing Countries Project”, implemented by UCLG ASPAC, and the concrete experiences from best practice transfer on local governance projects in Southeast Asia of the DELGOSEA network. Out of the pool of policy recommendations, the conference will then focus on two thematic areas, which have been of key concern to local governance in Southeast Asia. These are: 1. disaster management and risk mitigation in the framework of climate change as well as 2. public private partnership for local economic development.

The second part of the conference is looking at the question on how regional cooperation and a sustainable dialogue can be best organised. The aim of this session is to strengthen local authorities ‘networking with international and regional organizations and to develop closer links between local authorities, civil society and academic institutions.

The conference will end with a policy declaration and an agenda for sustainable local governance through a multi-stakeholder approach for the ASEAN region.

Target Groups

ASEAN Representatives and ASEAN Secretariat, Representatives from national governments, such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior; Representatives from other Regional Organisations, such as ADB, EU, FCM; Representatives from civil society organisations, academia, media and respective umbrella organisations; Representatives from the Local Government Associations (LGAs), DELGOSEA Team.

Representatives will come from the following countries: Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar.