Governor Dax Cua, President of United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, together with ULAP Legal Counsel and Chairman of the Philippine Board Members' League Atty. Ananias Canlas, Jr. and ULAP's Director for Strategic Partnerships William Batac, participated in the First Session of the 2024 UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau Meeting. Held from June 5 to 7 in Likupang, North Minahasa Regency, the event drew over 200 mayors, officials, and stakeholders from more than 25 local governments across the Asia-Pacific region.
The session centered around the theme "Enhancing Sustainable Tourism and Creative Economy through Asia-Pacific Collaboration." Hosted generously by North Minahasa Regency, the event coincided with the 2024 Likupang Tourism Festival, highlighting the region's cultural richness and commitment to sustainable development.
Governor Dax Cua and Atty. Ananias Canlas, Jr. actively engaged in various key activities during the three-day event. Governor Cua delivered opening remarks at several sessions, including those of the Belt and Road Local Cooperation Committee and the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee. The event also featured a joint initiative on gender equality and women's participation in local governance, where exemplary practices from cities like Dagupan and Jambi were shared.
The Executive Bureau members deliberated on significant agenda items, including the approval of new members and updates on upcoming statutory meetings. They also renewed strategic partnerships through memoranda of understanding with key stakeholders, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable urban development goals.
Parallel activities included insightful side events on the Creative Blue and Green Economy and Rural-Urban Revitalisation Linkages in Tourism, showcasing best practices and fostering networking opportunities among participants.
Looking ahead, the Second Session of the 2024 Executive Bureau is scheduled for October in Zhengzhou, China, while the 10th UCLG ASPAC Congress will convene in Goyang Special City, South Korea in 2025, focusing on sustainable global cities and regions.
Board Member Jun Canlas addressed the 2024 UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau, focusing on enhancing sustainable tourism and the creative economy in Asia-Pacific. He emphasized Pampanga's mangrove conservation efforts, crucial for climate resilience and carbon sequestration. Highlighting initiatives at Sasmuan Coastal Wetlands, a Ramsar site, Atty. Canlas advocated for local partnerships and community involvement in creative economy and sustainable eco-tourism. His call for regional collaboration in blue carbon development resonated, advocating for a future where environmental stewardship supports economic growth.
