ILOILO City – This southern metropolis reaped a special recognition during the 3rd CityNet-UNESCAP SDG City Awards at the Iloilo Convention Center.
The city government received the Liveable City Award for its outstanding efforts in enhancing urban livability through innovative programs and sustainable urban planning.
The above accolade highlights Iloilo City’s commitment to creating a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban environment, further cementing its status as a model for other cities striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A special mention was given to the Iloilo River Esplanade, celebrated for aligning with CityNet’s themes of Inclusivity, Circular Economy, and Resilience.
On the other hand, Busan, South Korea topped the awardees for their Busan Children’s Cultural Complex. They were recognized for the innovative approach to fostering cultural education and inclusivity for children, aligning with the SDGs.
Baguio City placed second for its “Mapping Urban Resilience: A Digital Twin to Baguio’s Livability Index” for pioneering the use of digital technology to enhance urban planning and resilience.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ranked third for their 1 Community, 1 Recycle initiative, that engages communities in environmental sustainability through active recycling programs.
The other Asian cities that were recognized for their innovative initiatives under the Inclusive City Award included:
* Bangkok – “Young City Creators Program”
* Busan – “Jambi City Community Empowerment for Settlement Development”
* Makati City – “Public Service Caravan”
* Seberang Perai – “Traffic Management Contribution via Trafiesta Program”
For the Smart City Award, the awardees were Baguio City (“Mapping Urban Resilience”) and Subang Jaya (“WhatsApp Business for City Services”).
Meantime, for Circular City Award, the awardees are Bandung (“Transforming the Springs Conservation Area”) and Kuala Lumpur and Moratuwa (“Initiatives toward a Zero-Waste City”).
Resilient City Award, on the other hand, was given to Jakarta (“Urban Resilience Initiatives”).
Vijay Jagannathan, secretary-general of the CityNet Secretariat, praised the winners for their innovative approaches, particularly in leveraging information technology to modernize governance and data management.
He expressed optimism about the creativity and problem-solving skills of young professionals driving these changes, referring to their ideas as pivotal for navigating the digital age.
In a press briefing on Monday, Jagannathan described the awards as the “Oscars for SDGs”, emphasizing their significance in inspiring cities to prioritize sustainability and innovation.
He said the event showcased how local initiatives are shaping the future of urban governance in alignment with global sustainability goals.
In addition, Jagannathan shared his enthusiasm for the growing prestige of the CityNet-UNESCAP SDG City Awards, now widely recognized as a key platform for showcasing innovative local government initiatives.
Originally launched to encourage city participation, the awards have evolved into a highly anticipated event, often likened to an “Oscar ceremony” for sustainable development.
Jagannathan noted the overwhelming response, with numerous cities submitting proposals, from which 13 finalists were selected.
“What gives me hope is that in all our cities, we have so many smart young people who are very much into IT and technology. They’re coming up with interesting concepts to digitalize data and change the way we govern,” he told reporters.
These proposals, he emphasized, demonstrate the creativity and innovation thriving in cities across the region.
The finalists’ initiatives for the CityNet-UNESCAP SDG City Awards not only showcase innovative solutions for urban challenges but also contribute to the Urban SDG Knowledge Platform, a comprehensive database of best practices from member local governments.
Jagannathan pointed out the platform serves as a vital resource for benchmarking sustainable urban practices, enabling cities to learn from one another and replicate successful strategies. By sharing these case studies, he said that CityNet member cities are collectively advancing global efforts to achieve the SDGs while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the Asia-Pacific region.
The finalists for the CityNet-UNESCAP SDG City Awards highlighted exceptional urban initiatives across the Asia-Pacific, showcasing innovative approaches to address key urban challenges.
These projects align with the thematic categories of Inclusive City, Smart City, Circular City, and Resilient City and were evaluated based on their innovation, leadership, implementation clarity, positive outcomes, long-term sustainability, and replicability.
These initiatives are not only transforming their respective cities but also contributing valuable case studies to the Urban SDG Knowledge Platform, enabling benchmarking and replication by other local governments.
CityNet ESCAP SDG City Awards finalists were judged by a distinguished panel from leading international organizations.
The judges included Jagannathan, UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager Christopher Rollo, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub Regional Governance Advisor Diana Torres, and Habitat for Humanity International Director of Program Operations in Asia Pacific Gregg McDonald.
The awards session and ceremony were held yesterday at the Iloilo Convention Center.
The event, which gathered leaders from across Asia and the Pacific, also included seminars focusing on climate change leadership and workforce development, emphasizing the region’s commitment to addressing global challenges through collaborative and forward-thinking strategies./PN
