| Type of Project undertaken |
: |
Training Courses
Advisory Services
International Seminar/Workshops
Cooperation with International Agencies |
| Field |
: |
Human Settlements issues, such as environment, urban Infrastructure, transport, poverty, governance and municipal finance |
| Partner/Local Authority |
: |
Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
- Outline:
-
CITYNET is a non-profit, international organization that acts as a multi-actor network for international cooperation, and is comprised of local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the Asia-Pacific region. CITYNET has 103 members (63 local governments and 40 organizations) from 19 countries, with the Mayor of Yokohama as President.
- Establishment and Progress:
-
In 1982, the First Regional Congress of Local Authorities for Development of Human Settlements in Asia and the Pacific (Y'LAP) was held in Yokohama, and the need to enhance cooperation and effective relationships between local authorities in the Asia-Pacific region was affirmed.
| 1982 |
Y'LAP, held in Yokohama City |
| 1987 |
The Establishment of CITYNET
At the Second Regional Congress of Local Authorities for Development of Human Settlements in Asia and the Pacific (N'LAP; held in Nagoya, Japan), CITYNET was inaugurated with the initiative of City of Yokohama, supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and other organizations. |
| 1988 |
First General Council of CITYNET.
Mayor of Yokohama was elected President. |
| 1992 |
Setting up of CITYNET Secretariat in Yokohama. |
- Partnership/Affiliation with other Organizations:
-
- UNESCAP:
-
Financial support for establishment of CITYNET and continued support for its management and operations.
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
- Financial support for a large number of CITYNET activities.
- UN-HABITAT:
- Memorandum of Understanding was signed entailing mutual support for joint activities.
- UNCRD:
- Joint organized training courses
- Expenditure:
-
Settled accounts at the end of the year 2003: 382,967 US$
- Difficulties and Challenges:
-
As of the end of 2003, CITYNET has incorporated more than 100 members. It is getting difficult to implement activities that address the needs of all members.
At the same time, CITYNET is supported in terms of finance, personnel, and programme activities mainly by Yokohama City, the only member city from among developed countries. More contribution from other member cities is expected, and affiliation of new members from developed countries needs to be promoted.
- Outcome and Prospects:
-
Outcome: Through the Network, efforts towards technical solutions to urban issues are being made with effective cooperation amongst the various members. Transfer of best practices and technical know-how from developed countries to developing countries by cooperation between cities is actively being promoted. Cooperation with NGOs and other stakeholders for urban issues is also being facilitated.
In 2002, CITYNET received the UN-HABITAT Scroll of Honour Award 2002 for its role in promoting and implementing city-to-city cooperation.
In 2003, CITYNET collaborated with UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training And Research), City of Kuala Lumpur and other organizations on the establishment of KLRTC, (Kuala Lumpur Regional Training Center -- the international training facility for capacity-building in the area of basic urban environment management). In August-September 2004, the third training course on Sustainable Urban Management was organized in KLRTC.
The Secretariat maintains contact with members to learn about their needs and collect comments and updated information to reflect in the programme activities, such as technical transfer and city-to-city cooperation among members. In 2003, it has adapted a "Cluster" Approach, where member cities with similar needs are grouped together. In 2003 CITYNET implemented the following activities: Seminar/Workshops (7), Advisory Services (2), Training/Study Tour (12), and publication and others (7).
- Future Plans:
-
In order to coordinate city-to-city and country-level cooperation, CITYNET is exploring opportunities for collaboration with other organizations, such as CLAIR and JICA, which could lead to more effective initiatives.
- Message:
-
CITYNET is promoting partnerships amongst members, consisting of stakeholders such as local governments and NGOs, for the purpose of enhancing city-to-city cooperation in a variety of areas with regard to urban issues.
The organization is always seeking new members and partners, including corporates. New member cities from Japan are particularly welcome. Please feel free to contact the CITYNET Secretariat with your inquiries and comments.
- Contact Information at the local authority:
-
- Office of International Relations, General Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama
-
| Tel: |
045-671-2079 |
| Fax: |
045-664-7145 |
- *For detailed information regarding content of activities, etc. contact the following:
- CITYNET Secretariat:
-
| Tel: |
045-223-2161 |
| Fax: |
045-223-2162 |
| HomePage: |
http://www.citynet-ap.org/ |
| E-mail: |
info@citynet-ap.org |
| Address: |
5th Floor, International Organizations Center, Pacifico-Yokohama, 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama 220-0012, JAPAN |
- Information updated:
-
September 2004
|
