On Wednesday, 26 February, CityNet was featured as a panellist for the “Regional Pathway to Achieving the SDGs and Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis” side event at the 12th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok. The event, organized by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) brought core partners together to officially kick off the development of the Asia-Pacific Synergy Report. The report will examine how synergies can accelerate progress on sustainable development in Asia-Pacific. It aims to offer a wealth of case studies and practical examples, providing policymakers and practitioners with valuable guidance for on-the-ground implementation of synergistic solutions.
During the side event, experts and stakeholders discussed the report’s role in driving tangible outcomes, particularly in addressing unique socio-economic challenges in Asia-Pacific. Representing CityNet, Senior Program Officer Mr. Chris DiGennaro shared how the Urban SDG Knowledge Platform’s case study database is a repository of best practices at the city level that can serve as policy recommendations to effectively address multiple crises. As an example, he presented a case study from the Clean Ciliwung River Movement based in Jakarta, “Empowering Communities through Waste-to-Energy Innovation” which establishes community stewards who contribute to the production of refuse-derived fuel as a source of alternative energy. Their waste management efforts directly lead to the cleanup and purification of the Ciliwung River and increase the capacity of the community to deal with accumulating waste. Mr. DiGennaro reminded the organizers not to overlook the knowledge coming from the city and community levels when compiling their report, as they have the most stake in the recommended solutions that may emerge.
Chris Di Gennaro is a Program Officer at CityNet, where he manages the Urban SDG Knowledge Platform, a joint project with UNESCAP and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Previously, he worked at ESCAP to organize an urban innovation themed startup competition. Chris holds a Master of Korean Studies from Yonsei University and a Bachelor of Psychology from Vassar College. He is keenly interested in the workings of cities and facilitating sustainable urban development.
