About APUF-8

As we convene for the 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-8), we are presented with a crucial opportunity to collectively reflect, strategize and take action to address the pressing challenges posed by rapid urbanization, compounded by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the interconnected climate crises, leading to increasing disaster risks, environmental degradation and inequalities across the region. Through engaging in dialogues, sharing knowledge and fostering collaborative efforts, we can chart a path towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban futures in Asia and the Pacific. It is imperative that we work together to shape urbanization that is responsive to the needs of people, respects the environment, and promotes equitable and inclusive development.

Objectives

The overarching objective of APUF-8 is to accelerate the implementation of sustainable urban development to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Asia-Pacific region. To achieve this, APUF-8 participants will:

• Engage in in-depth discussions on the four thematic areas examined and presented in the flagship publication titled 'Crisis Resilient Urban Futures for Asia and the Pacific.' The publication aims to continue to build on the existing comprehensive regional guidance and foundation created by previous reports and support future sustainable urban development processes, planning and advocacy in a contextually relevant manner.
• Provide a platform for promoting inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and safe urban solutions and best practices by engaging stakeholders, constituencies, experts and the public. This platform will strengthen regional cooperation and foster collaborative efforts toward sustainable urban development.
• Mobilize commitments to enhance city development, policies and planning processes through strengthened partnerships and regional actions prioritizing sustainable urban development across the Asia-Pacific region. This will involve fostering collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships among stakeholders to drive sustainable urban development at the regional level.
• Formulate a strategic and inclusive roadmap for intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder cooperation on sustainable urban development in the Asia-Pacific region. This roadmap will guide collaborative efforts among governments, international organizations, civil society, academia and other stakeholders toward achieving sustainable urban development goals in the region.

Expected Outcomes

The 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF) aims to achieve three key outcomes:

• 1. Development of a strategic sustainable urban development high-level consensus, which will serve as a guiding framework for sustainable urban development in the Asia-Pacific region.
• 2. Declaration of concrete initiatives by partners to support the implementation of sustainable urban development. These initiatives will be informed by the discussions and outcomes of APUF-8 and will be aimed at informing subsequent regional and global fora. These initiatives will be tangible actions that contribute to sustainable urbanization in the region.
• 3. Strengthening existing platforms for sustainable urbanization to oversee, guide, and monitor the progress of commitments and initiatives made. This will involve creating mechanisms for tracking progress, evaluating outcomes, and reporting on the implementation of commitments and initiatives. This strengthened platform will also look towards the future, beyond APUF-9, to ensure continuity and sustained progress toward sustainable urban development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Thematic Focus & Interlinkages

The 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-8) aims to bring together the experiences of multiple stakeholders to reflect on the colliding crises faced by cities in Asia and the Pacific, synthesize diverse approaches and actions to support urban resilience in the context of the New Urban Agenda and the decade for action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). High-level plenaries will draw insights from urban thought leaders, government officials and major stakeholder groups, based on real-world experiences of resilience-building and transformation through and beyond the pandemic. These plenaries aim to provoke, challenge, and invigorate participant understanding and commitment to sustainable urban development.

APUF-8 will be guided by four themes that will form the basis of the report, "Crisis Resilient Urban Futures for Asia and the Pacific," which will be launched on the first day of the forum and will inform the thematic dialogues and outcomes of the overall event.

1. Urban and Territorial Planning

Provide an overarching structure for integrating the breadth of strategies for addressing the multiple crises that cities and the world face. Comprehensive spatial planning approaches provide a platform for cities to impact areas of poverty and social exclusion, climate action, adequate housing, mobility, integrated digital transformation, cultural preservation and inclusive economic development. This thematic track aims to delve into the positive interplay between spatial planning and multi-level action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda in a multi-crisis context. The discussion will emphasize ways to prioritize equitable spatial planning to lay the foundation for more inclusive, resilient, smart and sustainable urban development to mitigate the impacts of climate change and growing inequality and promote social cohesion, economic opportunity, urban health and well-being, and a better quality of life for all residents.

2. Urban Climate Action

Rapid urbanization in the Asia-Pacific region has led to increased inequality, economic growth and environmental damage. Almost 75% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions originate in cities in Asia-Pacific, and many metropolitan populations are at risk from climate-related consequences. Cities that are resilient and low-carbon are integral for achieving sustainable urban development. These cities are essential for building strong communities that are socially and economically vibrant, environmentally sustainable and ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The thematic track on urban climate action and resilience intends to expedite the fundamental and necessary changes imperative to solve the climate problem and to improve urban planning, processes, and good governance. With the notion that achieving urban resilience requires swift adjustments to urban development, extensive retrofitting and regeneration of existing cities and towns and the provision of sustainable housing solutions, the session will assess the progress made in the thematic area since APUF-7 in 2019 along with looking ahead toward the role of cities in the context of loss and damage in the run-up to COP28.

3. Inclusive Urban Digitalization

The 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-8) aims to bring together the experiences of multiple stakeholders to reflect on the colliding crises faced by cities in Asia and the Pacific, synthesize diverse approaches and actions to support urban resilience in the context of the New Urban Agenda and the decade for action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). High-level plenaries will draw insights from urban thought leaders, government officials and major stakeholder groups, based on real-world experiences of resilience-building and transformation through and beyond the pandemic. These plenaries aim to provoke, challenge, and invigorate participant understanding and commitment to sustainable urban development.

APUF-8 will be guided by four themes that will form the basis of the report, "Crisis Resilient Urban Futures for Asia and the Pacific," which will be launched on the first day of the forum and will inform the thematic dialogues and outcomes of the overall event.

4. Urban Finance

Urban finance is the foundation for building financial systems that enable just and sustainable urban development while fostering economic expansion and enhancing the standard of living for locals. Nonetheless, municipal governments have been significantly impacted by public financing shortages, the impact of unforeseen events like the COVID-19 epidemic and the prevalence of informal urban development, making it difficult to finance operating and capital costs. This necessitates quick fixes to enhance public budgets and draw in more funding. With a focus on recognizing the value of informality and bringing stakeholders together to achieve a shared vision for the city, this thematic track seeks to foster discussions about financing inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities by investing in urban infrastructure, expanding service options, and developing innovative financing frameworks and instruments.

Parallel sessions during APUF-8 will provide an opportunity for participants to explore these thematic areas in detail, based on a specific city or sub-regional experiences or technical aspects of each sub-theme. These sessions will be developed through an open call to forum participants and run as hybrid events, allowing for virtual participation. Preference will be given to multi-stakeholder submissions, and in-person presentations, with a strong case required for online presentations to maximize the value of participating in sessions at the forum.

Intended Participation

APUF-8 has a primary target audience of urban policymakers and practitioners across Asia and the Pacific. This includes city leadership, public servants and technical experts at national and subnational levels, members of civil society engaged in cities and towns, representatives of key interest and stakeholder groups, the private sector, academia, representatives from development institutions, bilateral agencies, international agencies and other interested parties.

High-level participants will also be invited from the region’s national governments with a focus on Ministerial representatives responsible for urban portfolios, as well as mayors and urban leaders from Asia and the Pacific’s cities and towns.

APUF-8 and all associated events will emphasize gender and disability-inclusive participation. It will also welcome participants from outside the Asia-Pacific region, who will be invited to share comparable (and contrasting) case studies and good practices. The host city is encouraged to invite as many interested national and local participants to exchange with international participants.

The Forum is expected to attract approximately 2,500 participants in person, in addition to those taking part online. All sessions will strive for regional, gender and stakeholder balance in speakers, content and attendance, including the perspectives of people with special needs.

As we gather at the 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum, let us come together to strengthen our commitment to building urban resilience that prioritizes sustainability and inclusivity. Let us exchange knowledge, share best practices, and collaborate to develop innovative solutions that can transform our cities into resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban spaces. The time to act is now.