The city government of Makati will host the 34th CityNet Executive Committee Meeting and International Seminar from November 23 to 24 at the Discovery Primea Makati Hotel on Ayala Avenue.
CityNet is an Asia Pacific regional network of local authorities, committed to helping local governments solve challenges commonly faced by cities in working toward a livable, sustainable and healthy environment.
Mayor Abigail Binay said Makati City has been an active member of CityNet for 25 years.
Binay, as Second Vice President of CityNet, will lead city officials in welcoming CityNet officials led by Secretary General Vijay Jagannathan and delegates of member-cities from various Asian countries and international organizations.
“The City of Makati warmly welcomes the delegates of fellow CityNet members participating in this important annual event. We are proud to be a part of the Asia Pacific Region’s largest association of urban stakeholders mutually committed to sustainable development,” she said.
The mayor also acknowledged the crucial role of CityNet in strengthening the capability of the city government to address urban challenges and promoting safe and resilient communities.
“For almost three decades now, CityNet has been helping empower cities around the world to transform themselves into ideal habitats capable of adapting to varying risks posed by climate change, so that residents and businesses can enjoy sustainable growth,” Binay said.
On Wednesday, the delegates will attend a whole-day Strategic Planning Meeting at the Discovery Primea Makati. The welcome dinner, to be hosted by Seoul City of South Korea, will be held at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue.
On Thursday, the CityNet Executive Committee will hold its 34th annual meeting at the Discovery Primea Makati from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be followed by the Farewell Dinner to be hosted by Makati City at the Phoenix Room, Bel-Air Village.
Other CityNet officials expected to attend include former Secretary General Dato’Lakhbir Singh A/L Sadu from Malaysia, Dr. Gyeng Chui Kim, Deputy Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General Byeonghan Yi, both from Korea. Ambassador Chang Beom Kim of Korea will also be present.
Local chief executives who confirmed their attendance include Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto of Bogor City, Indonesia, Mayor Nab Raj Dhungana of Pokhara, Nepal, and former Mayor Krishna Bahadur Thapa of Pokhara, Nepal. Philippine delegates include Mayor Jaime Fresnedi of Muntinlupa City, Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen of Iriga, Camarines Sur, and Vice Mayor Vianca Lita Gozon of Balanga City, Bataan. San Fernando, La Union has also confirmed its participation.
Local officials and representatives will also be coming from Taipei City of Taiwan, Seoul Metropolitan Government of Korea, Incheon Metropolitan Government of Korea, Nepal (Municipal Association of Nepal), Mumbai City of India, Dhaka North City Corporation of Bangladesh, Surabaya City of Indonesia, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration of Thailand, Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City Office of Nepal, Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, Yokohama City of Japan, Jakarta Capital City of Indonesia, Busan Metro City of Korea, and Taipei of Republic of China, among others.
The CityNet Secretariat will be represented by members from the Philippines, Taipei, Korea, Mexico, Germany, India, and Japan. Governance Specialist Fabienne Perucca from France will represent the UN Habitat, while other institutions to be represented include Galle Development Foundation of Sri Lanka and Temple University, Japan Campus.