176 local leaders to attend Wakatobi meeting

KENDARI. As many as 176 local leaders from countries in the Asia-Pacific region are scheduled to participate in the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC) meeting in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, on Sept. 5.

Wakatobi regent Hugua confirmed their attendance in Kendari on Wednesday.

“As many as 176 local leaders from various countries in the Asia-Pacific region have confirmed their attendance at the international event,” he said as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Among the local leaders who confirmed their participation, were the mayor of Guangzhou in China, the governor of Jeju in South Korea and the mayor of Hamamatsu in Japan. UCLG-ASPAC president Won Hee-ryong, senior ministry officials, United Nations (UN) officials, UNESCO officers and experts from educational institutions were also present.

UCLG-ASPAC is an organization of local governments in the Asia-Pacific region, which regularly holds a meeting to discuss common issues across sectors, such as environmental issues and joint efforts to improve the prosperity of their people.

“In the meeting, the local leaders will make a presentation on various problems they are facing,” said Hugua.

The three key issues to be discussed in the meeting are: the establishment of a low-carbon society, good governance and sustainable urban development, he added.

“Results of discussions on those three main things will be formulated into a joint commitment called the Wakatobi Declaration,” said Hugua.