JAKARTA/NAIROBI, 7 March 2024 — ASEAN and the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) continue to strengthen cooperation to support ASEAN Member States (AMS) in advancing sustainable urbanisation development in the region through the joint implementation of the “Accelerating the Implementation of the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy (ASUS) – Phase II” (ASUS Project – Phase II). The project will run from 2024 to 2026.
ASUS Project – Phase II represents a step forward in strategic collaboration between ASEAN and UN-Habitat, which first phase started in 2020. The first phase of the ASUS Project was implemented from 2020 to 2022, combining tailored technical support at the local level to eight pilot cities in ASEAN and knowledge management and advocacy initiatives at the regional level, including delivery of the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum and the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Report.
The ASUS Project aims to increase understanding and application of ASUS among AMS, and bridge ASEAN cities’ experiences to regional and global levels. Phase II will focus on increasing the number of participating cities across AMS, supporting their efforts in advancing effective urban development solutions, and expanding the outreach and engagement of local and regional stakeholders to promote sustainable urbanisation in ASEAN.
The project is led by the Lead Implementing Body for the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 Strategic Area of Sustainable Infrastructure (LIB-SI) and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN). The ASEAN Secretariat and the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific will support the implementation of the project’s activities and ensure a close collaboration between local, national, and regional stakeholders.
ASEAN and UN-Habitat remain committed to work together for collaborative and transformative change and to achieve the shared aspirations of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the New Urban Agenda for a more sustainable future and better quality of life for all across ASEAN.
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