Jakarta Gears Up to Host U20 Mayors Summit, Discussing Post-Pandemic City Challenges

Jakarta is ready to host the Urban 20 (U20) Mayors Summit which will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, Central Jakarta.

To overcome various challenges faced by city residents

The U20 Mayors Summit is scheduled to run for two days, precisely on August 30 to 31, 2022. It is the culmination of the Jakarta leadership forum at this year's U20.

U20 Sherpa Meeting, Jakarta Focuses on 6 Post-pandemic Urban Issues

This Summit will provide an opportunity for U20 city leaders to gather, strengthen collaboration, and submit recommendations to the Indonesian government at the G20 Leaders Summit which will take place in Bali from November 15 to 16, 2022.

Through U20, cities representing G20 member countries are committed to working with national governments to address the most pressing challenges facing the world, including crisis recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, and increasing structural inequality. This year's U20 will focus on the issues and challenges faced by cities due to the pandemic. So, the theme taken is "Post-pandemic City".

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan will lead the fifth U20 cycle in 2022 which invites regional heads and governors of G20 members to work together in three main areas: 

(1) Investment in Health and Public Housing as the Foundation for Economic and Social Recovery for all

(2) Encouraging a Sustainable Energy Transition and Equitable Access for Sustainable Mobility

(3) Providing Education and Training on the Future of Employment for Equitable Access to the Job Market for all

He revealed the importance of events like this to exchange thoughts, and ideas to better face increasingly complex global challenges.

"The better the city, the city will have an important role as the front line to overcome various challenges faced by city residents," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release, Saturday (8/27).

To support it, Jakarta City Tour will also be held on August 29, 2022. Participants are scheduled to depart from the Fairmont Hotel to the Senayan MRT Station, CSW Bus Stop, Kendal Tunnel, and enjoy the sunset on the Phinisi ship, which is one of Indonesia's cultural heritages.

Three supporting events will take place in parallel on August 30, 2022, from 9 AM to 11:30 PM at the Fairmont Jakarta Hotel and the National Library:

1. “International Symposium Catalyzing Economic Recovery through Urban Regeneration”, held with the World Bank

2. “High-Level Talk show: Service innovation in GBV prevention and response as part of inclusive social recoveries in Jakarta”, held with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

3. “Digital Governance in Accelerating Sustainable Development and Climate Resiliency”, co-organized with the Smart Change Project & UCLG ASPAC

4. “Urban Infrastructure for Circular Economy and a Just Transition”, co-organized with the Global Solutions Initiative

5. “Enabling Cities, Caring Cities”, co-organized with The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

The main event will take place in a Plenary Discussion by city leaders. The first plenary discussion will discuss “Riding the waves of disruption towards a people-driven future: Fortifying cities’ human capital for the post-pandemic age”. And the second plenary session will be attended by Jakarta Governor to discuss "Cities for all, cities for the future: Achieving inclusive and sustainable housing, mobility, and energy in urban areas".

On the second day on August 31, the U20 Communique Handover Ceremony will be held by the U20 Co-chairs of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil to the G20 Presidency.

The following 12 city delegates will attend the U20 Mayors Summit:

1. Los Angeles (Mayor)

2.  Rotterdam (Mayor)

3. Tokyo (Governor)

4. Tshwane (Mayor)

5. Mumbai (City Commissioner and Administration, BMC) 

6. Sydney (Vice Mayor)

7. Berlin (Secretary of Permanent Active Citizenship, Support for Democracy and International Relations)

8. São Paulo (Deputy Secretary of International Relations)

9. Madrid (Deputy Director of International Relations)

10. Moscow (Deputy Head of Department of External Economics and International Relations)

11. Buenos Aires (Manager of International Relations)

12. Istanbul (Head of Foreign Relations Department of IMM)

Also, 10 city delegates will attend virtually:

1. Amsterdam (Sherpa)

2. Istanbul (Mayor)

3. Izmir (Sherpa)

4. Johannesburg (Sherpa)

5. Lisbon (Mayor)

6. Milan (Mayor)

7. Moscow (Sherpa)

8. New York City (Commissioner for Policy & Strategic Initiatives)

9. Osaka (Sherpa)

10. Rome (Mayor)

Meanwhile, for the observer city, 15 delegates will be physically present:

1. Lima (Deputy Mayor)

2. Quito (Quito City Council)

3. West Java (Mayor)

4. Banjarmasin (Mayor)

5. Balikpapan (Mayor)

6. Makassar (Mayor)

7. Medan (Mayor)

8. Padang (Mayor)

9. Palembang (Mayor)

10. Palu (Mayor)

11. Surakarta (Mayor)

12. Ambon (Acting Mayor)

13. Yogyakarta (Acting Mayor)

14. Surabaya (Vice Mayor)

15. Jambi (Head of Tourism and Creative Office).

Also, 2 delegations of observer cities who attended virtually, namely Glasgow (Leader).