Photo from UCLG Twitter account
BACOLOD CITY -- City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has flown to South Africa to attend the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders convened by the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
One of the largest and most influential meetings of mayors, councilors, local and regional governments and associations worldwide, the five-day assembly is being held in Durban’s International Convention Center from November 11 to 15.
Leonardia, the national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), is set to speak at the CEO Forum on Local Government Associations to share his insights on issues besetting Philippine cities, focusing on the areas of disaster risk management, sustainable development, and managing the impacts of climate change.
The participation of Leonardia, a sponsored delegate of the Asia-Pacific section of UCLG, is aimed at securing a seat in the World Council for the LCP.
“It is a strategic move on the part of the League. A place in the World Council will increase international visibility for the association, which can support global knowledge-sharing exchanges that Philippine cities support,” a statement from the mayor’s office on Monday night said.
Leonardia, who is the lone representative of the Philippines’ Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, will also touch base with various institutional partners such as the World Bank, Cities Alliance, and UN Environment, which previously supported capacity-building programs for Philippine cities in the hope of renewing ties with these institutions.
This 2019 edition of the triennial UCLG Congress is giving special attention to the strengthening of democracy, the implementation of the right to the city and the development of an intergenerational agenda to create a shared vision of a better society.
The World Summit experience includes interactive and innovative formats built on four tracks -- Assembly Track, Town Hall Track, Statutory Track, and Local4Action Track -- that guides participants, together with dedicated sessions for UCLG membership.
In September this year, Leonardia also attended Korea Foundation Program for Distinguished Guests in Political Affairs in Seoul together with delegates from 13 other countries. (PNA)
