IULA–ASPAC inaugural congress in Sydney
The inaugural International Union of local Authorities Asia Pacific (IULA–ASPAC) Regional Congress was staged in Sydney from 9-11 April. In welcoming some 200 delegates representing 10 nations, Councillor Peter Woods, President IULA-ASPAC, said that in spite of the difficulties with the war in Iraq and medical situation, people from across the region had persevered, demonstrating the substance of IULA–ASPAC.
“Asia Pacific is the region of the future in the world,” Councillor Woods said. “Australian Local Government sees itself as an integral part of this, working collaboratively with our counterparts in the region through tolerance, understanding and respect for each other.”
Hosted by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), and supported by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), the Congress theme was ‘Local Government Leading Sustainable Communities’.
ALGA President, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said that the timing of the Congress could not have been worse.
“Yet, it is times like this it is better that we do travel, to come together to forge a safer, more sustainable world,” he said.
Also speaking at the opening of the Congress, World President of IULA,. Councillor Alan Lloyd, from Swansea, Wales, said that the excellent representation of delegates from across Asia Pacific is a tribute to the strength of Australian Local Government.
“Within this region are the world’s largest populations of poor people but also the most decentralised and strong Local Government systems,” Councillor Lloyd said. “To achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication, Local Government is vital in making this a reality.”
Councillor Lloyd said that the merging of the two major international Local Government bodies, IULA and UTO (United Towns Organisation) into the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) as of 1 January 2004, will provide one united voice, particularly in dealings with the United Nations.
“There will be no break with the past,” he said. “Rather, we will build on the strengths of both organisations. A strong Asia Pacific region is essential to the strength of the new organisation. UCLG’s founding Congress will take place in Paris in May 2004 with the theme, ‘Cities, Local Governments: the Future for Development’.”
In presenting the keynote address, former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, referred to the intrinsic role that Local Government plays in people’s lives. He said the essence of good governance requires consultation; getting the best from both human and material resources; transparency; and integrity. “Never believe you have all the answers,” he told delegates. “You can’t impose your judgements on people, you must consult widely.”
He said with 60 per cent of Australia’s exports now going to the Asia Pacific region, our future well being in terms of income, jobs and quality of life is very dependant on our relationship with this region.
“With increasing liberalisation of trade barriers through Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at the national level, Local Government is not dragging the chain, with some 165 Asia/Australia Sister Cities relations, including 94 with Japan, 34 with China and 12 with the Phillipines,” Bob Hawke said.
Federal Minister for the Environment, Dr David Kemp, reaffirmed the key role that Local Government plays in our quest for sustainability.
“Over a quarter of Australia’s 700 Councils now have Local Agenda 21 plans in place,” the Minister said. “Further evidence of Local Government’s leadership in this field is the fact that 168 Councils are now involved in the Cities for Climate Protection program (CCP). This represents 65 per cent of our population. Australia leads the world with the highest number of participating Councils, equating to 30 per cent of the world’s total, and more Australian Councils than any other country have reached the highest milestone in this program.”
Sessions over the two day Congress covered building sustainability through capacity building of Local Government; building sustainable economic development; and the social policy agenda leading sustainability.
