You are invited to join the hybrid event, Transforming the Cities of Tomorrow: Future-Ready Urban Governance and Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) as Catalysts for SDG Localization, to be held on 27 February 2026 (Friday), from 9:00 to 10:00 (Bangkok time, GMT+7). The event is organised by the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), with CityNet and the City of Yokohama (Japan) as co-organisers.

As an official side-event of the 13th Asia-Pacific Pacific Sustainable Development Forum (APFSD13) with the theme, “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs”, this explores how future-ready urban governance and Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) can together accelerate SDG 11 and city-level SDG localization across Asia-Pacific.

As the region’s cities drive growth, innovation, and opportunity, they also face mounting pressures from fragmented governance, climate risks, and widening inequalities. Responding to these challenges requires governance systems that are adaptive, anticipatory, and agile, supported by strong leadership, cross-sector coordination, and inclusive partnerships. VLRs are emerging as a key governance tool to translate these capabilities into action – moving beyond reporting to align policies, mobilise stakeholders, influence behaviour, and embed SDG outcomes into long-term urban planning and investment decisions.

Drawing on experiences from cities such as Yokohama, Bangkok, Baguio, and Dhaka, with insights from other stakeholders, the session will highlight how future-ready urban governance and VLRs are advancing sustainable urbanisation through initiatives such as circular economy practices and people-centred urban development. The event will also showcase the role of city networks and knowledge hubs in scaling successful practices – building momentum toward major regional and global milestones, including GREEN×EXPO and APUF-9 in Yokohama in 2027.

Expected Outcomes

1. Strengthened city and regional partnerships for implementing SDG 11 and related targets.

2. Identification of actionable strategies and enabling conditions for VLR development, SDG localization, and multi-sector, multilevel future-ready urban governance from diverse city contexts.

3. Commitments from participating cities and partners to upscale collaboration with UNDP, IGES, and APLP-Cities partners.

4. Build momentum toward major international events in Yokohama in 2027, including GREEN×EXPO and APUF-9.

5. In-person launch of UNDP Report, “Rethinking Urban Governance for Tomorrow’s Cities in Asia-Pacific”, sharing and building upon insights from Bangkok, Beijing, Ahmedabad, and Iloilo.

To join online register here: https://undp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MgU1Yg-jTvWwhoc7XTkrBA

To those invited and have access to APFSD13, join in person by registering here: https://indico.un.org/event/1020567/