AMF Expected To Discuss Aspirations Of ASEAN Development

Makassar, South Sulawesi (Antara Bali) - The Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments in Asia Pacific, Berdania Irawati Tjandradewi, has expressed hope that the ASEAN Mayors Forum meeting -- from September 8 to 10 -- accommodates aspirations of development.

"This is our hope with regards to the presence of ambassadors from various countries looking to discuss local governments' engagement," she said at the AMF meeting venue on Tuesday.

She added that she hoped a number of ambassadors from the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and other ASEAN member countries, who will attend the meeting for a dialogue with local governments of Indonesia, can hear their aspirations and needs with regards to development.

"We wish ASEAN would be more active in involving local governments. So far they have only dealt with the central government. We hope local governments can also express their aspirations and share their views with regards to development in the ASEAN region," she stated.

She further said development efforts would be more effective if they involved local governments because it was the local governments that would directly deal with the people, such as in the case of a natural disaster and that way they need not complain to the central government.

Makassar has been chosen as the venue for the meeting in view of its economic growth touching 9 percent or more than other cities in Indonesia.

Tjandradewi said Makassar was lucky to have a leader like Moh Ramdha Pomanto (Makassar Mayor), who could exploit technology through his program aimed at advancing the city's population.

"We hope Pomanto can inspire regional leaders, who come to the meeting, so that more creative leaders are born to advance their cities or regions," Tjandradewi said.

 She also praised South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo for his role in making the province advance fast, especially Makassar as the capital of the province.

"Development of a region or a city may not be effective and efficient unless it is supported by central, as well as regional governments," she noted.

Meanwhile, Limpo expressed hope that the meeting would become a forum for exchange of information on investment to boost trade between countries.

"We must commit to progress together with other cities, especially in Indonesia and will not work by themselves. This meeting has the potential to increase cooperation as Indonesia has 900 islands and 500 rivers, as well as natural resources, such as nickel, gold and others," he said. (WDY)