The Asia Pacific Urban Forum provided the ideal setting for the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

CLGF and ICLEI formalised their partnership with the MOU on 15 October 2019 at the Seventh Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-7) in Penang, Malaysia. 

Accelerate sustainable urban development

The MoU represents an ambition to build on a long-standing collaborative partnership between CLGF and ICLEI to upscale and accelerate sustainable urban development by strengthening the local level ambitions and actions. The agreement opens up opportunities for both organisations to maximise benefits to local governments around the world through strengthened services and the mobilisation of resources to cities and municipalities.  

The MOU is very important as it opens doors for both organisations to work together and become stronger in representing city and local government issues, and in advocating greater resilience and sustainability of the cities. This partnership will of course benefit a number of cities and local goverments across Asia and others part of the world’ 

Enhanced cooperation

CLGF Secretary-General Dr Greg Munro said: "As an organisation dedicated to sharing best practice to improve local government service delivery, we believe this MOU will pave the way for enhanced cooperation in a number of areas, be it low carbon emissions or urban resilience. Action at the local level to create more resilience and tackle climate change is crucial."

Mr. Emani Kumar, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI commented: "ICLEI is delighted to sign the agreement to work together to accelerate local action towards the implementation of global climate commitments and sustainable development goals."

Two organisations dedicated to the same aims and a partnership that will benefit cities around the world, including those in the Asia Pacific region.