Partnerships for the Sustainable Development of Cities in the APEC Region

Over the past three decades, cities in the Asia-Pacific region have experienced unprecedented economic growth and development. However, the post-global financial crisis slowdown of the world economy and digital disruption have had a profound impact: the region’s cities face a range of challenges related to slower investment growth, greater job insecurity and skills mismatch, and an increasing shortage of housing and basic services. Factors such as climate change, security, and increasing disparities are also having a big impact on shaping the agenda for the future development and management of cities in the region.

Fresh approaches are needed in the way cities are managed to ensure their future prosperity, quality of life, and sustainability. This calls for governments and cities to work more cooperatively and collaboratively in fostering partnerships for urban governance, trade, investment, services delivery, human capital development, and environmental sustainability. This is central to APEC’s agenda for sustainable urbanization and the development of cities in the region.

This event will share the key findings and launch the APEC study on “Partnerships for the Sustainable Development of Cities in the APEC Region.” The study explores the ways cities in the region are supporting partnerships for sustainable development. It builds on previous APEC work on sustainable urbanization, using 14 case at the secondary city, metropolitan region, and regional economic trade-corridor levels to assess economic opportunities, infrastructure, social and environmental systems, and urban governance.