By Mariela Angella Oladive
For the first time, Iloilo City is hosting the 44th Executive Committee Meeting of CityNet, the largest Asia-Pacific network of urban stakeholders committed to sustainable development.
The three-day event, themed “Living the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Shared Future for All,” began on Monday, Nov. 18, at the Iloilo City Convention Center.
Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon welcomed over 100 mayors and officials from the Asia-Pacific region, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Makati Mayor Abby Binay.
Philippine representatives include Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, and Tacurong City Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito. Delegates from Fiji, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Malaysia are also attending.
In his welcome address, Ganzon stressed the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing urban challenges.
“This platform inspires collaboration, innovation, and transformative solutions that will benefit our communities and future generations. Together, let us continue working toward a brighter and more sustainable future,” he said.
The meeting focuses on topics such as climate resilience, sustainable urban planning, and strategies to reduce environmental impact.
During a press conference, CityNet Secretary-General Vijay Jagannathan expressed gratitude to Iloilo City for hosting the event. He commended the city for its impressive growth and efforts in heritage preservation.
“I have been coming to the Philippines since 1995, but this is my first visit to Iloilo. What I found particularly encouraging is how much this city has developed,” he said.
Jagannathan praised Iloilo City’s modernized economy, the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Center, and the restoration of landmarks like the Maritime Museum, which he described as “beautifully done.”
He also highlighted the evolving role of cities like Iloilo in global learning, noting their innovative approaches to urban challenges.
“When CityNet was established 30 to 40 years ago, it was primarily for developing cities to learn from more advanced ones. Now, cities like Iloilo, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam showcase innovative solutions, narrowing the gap,” he said.
Jagannathan acknowledged the influence of globalization on Iloilo, including its thriving business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and the global awareness among its youth.
The meeting runs through Wednesday, featuring discussions on urban management, sustainable housing initiatives by Habitat for Humanity, and workshops aimed at advancing climate resilience and SDG-aligned projects.
A CityNet seminar on Tuesday will tackle urban challenges and foster meaningful dialogue among participants.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, currently on medical leave, advocated for Iloilo to host the event during the 2023 CityNet meeting in South Korea.
