Melaka, Malaysia to host Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2016

After the success of the Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2015, Datuk Seri Ir. Hj. Idris bin Hj. Haron- Chief Minister, Melaka State Government, Malaysia, announced at Resilient Cities 2015 Congress held in Bonn on 8-11 June, that Melaka, Malaysia, would be the proud host of the second Asia-Pacific Forum on Urban Resilience and Adaptation – Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2016. Melaka State is one of the frontrunners in the emerging country of Malaysia to embrace the concept of a “Green City”.

Fifth Regional Workshop on Integrated Resource Management in Asian Cities: the Urban Nexus

11 Indian officials were among the 120 participants that attended the Fifth Regional Workshop on “Integrated Resource Management in Asian cities: the Urban Nexus”, which took place from 17 to 19 June 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and was organised by ESCAP in partnership with GIZ, the Municipality of Chiang Mai and ICLEI. A first-of-its-kind one day training programme was also organized for the participants by GIZ and ICLEI on urban nexus.

ICLEI member Shimla shines at the World Summit in Lyon

Shimla was among the three cities hailed for Urban-LEDS (Low Emissions Development Strategy) held at the World Summit – Climate and Territories in Lyon, France on July 2. Representatives of Urban-LEDS cities Shimla (India), Fortaleza (Brazil), KwaDukuza (S. Africa) and Copenhagen (Denmark) shared their low carbon actions and commitments. The World Summit brought together more than one thousand participants from all over the world and produced both a final political declaration and a list of commitments that fit into the "agenda of solutions".

Revamping heritage cities as part of the HRIDAY Scheme

ICLEI South Asia, with its partners, will be playing the role of a city anchor for three cities – Amravati, Ajmer and Badami, under the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India’s National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY). The HRIDAY Yojna supports development of core heritage infrastructure projects which include revitalization of urban infrastructure for areas around heritage assets.  

Exploring solutions for an enhanced IUWM approach

Under the European Commission funded Adopting Integrated Urban Water Management in Indian Cities (AdoptIUWM) project, a one week exposure visit to Europe was conducted in the month of April. The aim of this tour was to expose the participants to the best practices in the field of IUWM being undertaken in Europe and to provide options for Indian cities that are currently facing challenges in the Water sectors.

Cochin releases its Solar City Master Plan

Cochin Municipal Corporation recently released its Solar City Master Plan with technical support from ICLEI South Asia. The Cochin solar city master plan is a comprehensive document detailing city’s present energy consumption in various sectors, energy demand forecasting and sector wise action plan for integrating renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in different activities.  

Will your city be the next Earth Hour Capital - Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) 2015-16 is now open!

Cities have been actively participating in EHCC for three consecutive years. Acknowledging the zeal and vigor of the numerous cities which have been a part of this initiative, the EHCC 2015-16 campaign was launched on 1 July, 2015. The theme for this year’s challenge is ‘Bridging the Gap’, which refers to the gap between the aggregated global climate commitments and the additional commitments and actions necessary to keep global warming below the 2°C mark.

Highlights of the Urban Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) 2nd International Networking Seminar

The 2nd Urban-LEDS International Networking Seminar (INS), held on 5-7 May 2015, welcomed over 60 participants – including senior local government representatives of 37 Urban-LEDS project cities in Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Europe – to meet, learn and exchange with each other among ICLEI and UN-Habitat staff.

ICLEI member city Panaji presents its projects at the Global Infrastructure Basel (GIB) Summit 2015

2 projects of Panaji, presented by Mr. Sanjit Rodrigues, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Panaji, were among the Nine projects, promoted by 6 Urban-LEDS cities, which were chosen to be presented to potential funders at the Global Infrastructure Basel (GIB) Summit 2015, in Basel, 27-28 May.

Making the most of resources and waste – ISWA 2015 World Congress

The ISWA2015 (International Solid Waste Association) Congress positions reaches out to waste professionals, industrialists, policy makers at all levels from around the globe, researchers and entrepreneurs to consider and discuss their role in shifting from a “throw it away” to a “use it” phase.  

Resilient Cities 2015 Congress – All that happened

The 6th Edition of the Resilient Cities 2015 Congress brought to light a local and global focus – or, as Mayor Jürgen Nimptsch of Bonn put it, a “glocal” focus. Nimptsch emphasized the importance of the congress, commenting, “This is much more than a panel dialogue or position paper. This is about saving lives.” Nimptsch’s comment was reinforced by Datuk Seri Ir. Hj. Idris bin Hj. Haron – the Chief Minister of Melaka State Government, Malaysia.

From L-R: ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin, Chief Minister of Melaka Datuk Seri Ir. Hj. Idris bin Hj. Haron, Mayor of Bonn Jürgen Nimptsch and Former ICLEI President David Cadman