44th CityNet ExeCom Meeting: Iloilo City Lauded for Sustainable Practices

Iloilo City earned praise for its sustainable development practices during the 44th CityNet Executive Committee Meeting, held on Nov. 18 at the Iloilo Convention Center.

CityNet Secretary-General Vijay Jagannathan commended the city’s disaster risk management strategies, highlighting its proactive approach to preparedness, response, and resilience. He noted that these efforts align closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Iloilo City is recognized as a leading example. Even globally, it stands out as a hugely successful model,” Jagannathan said during a press briefing.

The city’s initiatives, he said, serve as benchmarks for other cities striving to improve disaster risk management and urban sustainability.

Iloilo City received the highest honor for disaster risk reduction and management from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) from 2021 to 2023.

Its “Beyond Compliant” rating recognizes local government units exceeding standards for disaster risk reduction councils and offices or showcasing exemplary practices beyond standard programs.

Jagannathan also praised Iloilo City for preserving its cultural heritage, emphasizing its proactive conservation of historical structures such as ancestral mansions.

“The fact that you’ve been able to keep your mansions is very important,” he said, stressing the importance of maintaining historical identity and protecting cultural legacies for future generations.

He also applauded Iloilo’s vibrant culinary heritage and public spaces, including night markets, noting that while these are common in Western countries, they remain rare in many developing nations.

Jagannathan expressed optimism for further collaboration between Iloilo and CityNet members, such as Seoul, to enhance sustainable urban development and mutual understanding.

The three-day meeting, themed “Living the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Shared Future for All,” gathered over 100 leaders from the Asia-Pacific region to exchange ideas and best practices for addressing urban challenges.

Other key events included the 3rd SDG City Awards Session and an international seminar on SDGs, emphasizing regional partnerships’ vital role in advancing sustainable development.