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Origins
& Evolution
2 / 5- The forum initially began in 2011 as the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF), inaugurated in Surabaya, Indonesia, to underscore the crucial role of local governments in ASEAN’s regional integration.(UCLG ASPAC)
- It gained prominence through annual meetings, evolving into a platform central to ASEAN Community-building efforts.(UCLG ASPAC)
- In 2018, the AMF was officially accredited as an entity associated with ASEAN, marking its growing recognition.(UCLG ASPAC)
- By 2024, the forum was renamed to ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), formalizing representation of both city mayors and provincial/state leaders.(UCLG ASPAC)
Secretariat
& Institutional Host
3 / 5- The United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), through its Southeast Asia Committee, serves as the AGMF Secretariat.(UCLG ASPAC)
- UCLG ASPAC is the largest regional section of UCLG, representing over 10,000 cities and local governments and 24 national associations in the Asia-Pacific region.(UCLG ASPAC)
Purpose
& Role
4 / 5- AGMF provides a collaborative platform for governors, mayors, policymakers, and civil society to engage in advocacy, capacity building, research, knowledge-sharing, and project development.(UCLG ASPAC)
- It aligns local government responsibilities with global frameworks such as the SDGs, New Urban Agenda, Paris Agreement, and Sendai Framework.(UCLG ASPAC)
- The forum fosters cross-border cooperation among local leaders, driving sustainable regional development, peace, and community resilience.(UCLG ASPAC, BS Daily News)
Participants
& Scale
5 / 5- Typical attendance ranges from 300 to 350 participants, including governors, mayors, local government officials, UN agencies, ASEAN Secretariat representatives, ambassadors, urban planners, and other stakeholders:
- AMF 2022 (Phnom Penh) saw over 300 attendees, including mayors, governors, and UN/regional partners; even Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Sen, participated—marking the first time a head of state attended.(ASEAN Entities)
- AMF 2023 (Jakarta) continued to unite local leaders under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.”(ASEAN)
- AMF/MGMAC 2024 (Vientiane, Lao PDR) attracted around 350 city and local government leaders and senior officials, plus regional dignitaries.(UCLG ASPAC)
Summary Insights
- AGMF began in 2011 as a pioneering mayors’ dialogue and has matured into a premier regional forum for sub-national leaders.
- It’s hosted by UCLG ASPAC, connecting thousands of local governments and serving as a bridge between local-level action and ASEAN/community agendas.
- Participation consistently involves 300–350 recurring leaders, including city and provincial executives, alongside international organizations and ASEAN officials.
- Key themes evolve with each host’s Chairmanship, with recent focus on connectivity, resilience, smart and sustainable urbanization, and inclusive future cities.
- The forum’s outputs, such as declarations and joint actions, feed into broader ASEAN strategies and local implementation plans.