Bangkok and Singapore, 26 March 2026 — City officials and governance practitioners from eleven cities across South and Southeast Asia gathered today for the opening of the Future-Ready Urban Governance Blended Training Programme, a new initiative developed by UNDP, the Chandler Academy of Governance (CAG) - the Learning and Development division of the Chandler Governance Group – and CityNet. The programme is designed to equip local governments with the anticipatory, adaptive, and agile governance capabilities needed to address the region's most pressing urban challenges. 

The first activity of the programme, the Online Exchange, brought participants through a series of expert-led sessions and facilitated city-to-city discussions. Keynote presentations explored the future of cities in the Asia-Pacific and implications for urban governance, including climate shocks, rapid urbanisation, demographic shifts, and the pressures of urban growth, before introducing the Future-Ready Urban Governance model and its core principles. Cities then worked in groups to reflect on their shared challenges, pinpoint capacity and coordination gaps, and identify actionable opportunities for learning and implementation, with each group’s consolidated insights shaping the closing plenary. 

Participating cities include representatives from Bangladesh, Bangkok (Thailand), Bintulu (Malaysia), Colombo and Gampola (Sri Lanka), Dhangadhi and Kathmandu (Nepal), Hue (Viet Nam), Iloilo (Philippines), Kulhudhuffushi (Maldives), Palu (Indonesia), and Tiruchirappalli (India). 

“For city leaders and officials, the decisions and investments made today will define the future of millions of urban residents. This callsfor ambition by moving beyond incremental change toward systemic solutions and embracing integrated governance to reshape the trajectory of our cities.” - Gerd Trogemann, Manager of Global Policy Network, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub 

The programme responds to a growing recognition across the region that urban governance must become more forward-looking and inclusive. Governments need to not only understand emerging risks but also develop bold strategies as cities change and translate citizen feedback into action, with particular attention to ensuring women and youth have a meaningful voice in governance institutions and processes. 

“Today’s session marks the starting point where we establish a shared lens and surface key priorities. But more than that, it is a call to action. An invitation to think differently, to question whether existing approaches are sufficient, and to step forward with the intent to lead meaningful change.”  - Wei Jiang Ho, Dean, Chandler Academy of Governance, Chandler Governance Group 

Over the next ten weeks, participants will lead applied learning assignments within their city administrations, generating insights and testing solutions ahead of an in-person training in Bangkok this June. Building on the assignment, the cohort will sharpen their strategic direction, strengthen peer networks, and advance adaptive, agile, and anticipatory governance capabilities to drive impact for future-ready urban governance back in their cities. 

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP. 

About CGG 

The Chandler Governance Group (CGG) is an international organization focusing on public sector effectiveness and capability development. We work with national and local governments to train and develop leaders, strengthen public institutions and systems, benchmark government capabilities, and share good practices. Visit www.chandlergovernance.com to learn more, or follow CGG on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.  
 
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