Local
governance

Empower local actors to address development challenges

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Publication
Rethinking Urban Governance for Tomorrow's Cities in Asia-Pacific

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Future-Ready Brochure
Transforming Urban Governance in Asia-Pacific

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Social Innovation Platform Brochure
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Embedding Innovations into Local Governance

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Featured
posts

Press Release
Cities across South and Southeast Asia Convene for Future-Ready Urban Governance

City officials and governance practitioners from eleven cities across South and Southeast Asia gathered for the opening of the Future-Ready Urban Governance Blended Training Programme, a new initiative developed by UNDP, the Chandler Academy of Governance (CAG).

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Article
The challenges and opportunities of rapid urban expansion

This article shares key insights from our recent publication: Rethinking Urban Governance in Asia-Pacific. Exploring how cities across the region are adapting governance models to address rapid urbanisation, climate challenges, and socio-economic shifts.

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Wide city skyline at sunset with tall skyscrapers and dense urban blocks.
Blog
"Who shapes the urban governance space, defines its future."

Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, emphasises that rapid urbanisation in the region is a pivotal opportunity—if matched with strong governance and fiscal autonomy to build inclusive, resilient cities.

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News Article
Kulhudhuffushi City, pioneering people-centered governance

This blog highlights a two-day in-person training workshop held in Kulhudhuffushi City, alongside the launch of a five-day deep listening exercise led by the KFCC-LGA-MCLP-UNDP joint task force, which engaged over 100 stakeholders.

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Photograph of Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, at sunset.
Event
Leadership for the Future Dialogue Series

Governance for the future requires visionary leadership, anticipatory thinking, and agile action. UNDP has hosted two high-level events, bringing together regional leaders to share best practices. Insights from these events have informed policy briefs, reports, and strategic recommendations.

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Op-ed
Shaping cities of the future to be inclusive, sustainable and resilient

"Imagine a city in Asia and the Pacific, in 2030, where sustainability flourishes, public services are accessible to all, and green spaces abound amid bustling urban life. In several cities across the region, local governments are moving towards achieving such a vision, but progress is slow."

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