PACIS once again participated in a key international forum, demonstrating its role as an academic and policy research institution integrated with community service activities. This role is also crucial in connecting the academic world with the concrete practice of diplomacy. This experience enriches the teaching materials PACIS researchers can provide in classrooms.
On July 31, 2024, at the initiative of Laos, as chair of the ASEAN Smart City Network (ASCN), the first ASCN conference was held in Luang Prabang, Laos. This event was part of the seventh annual ASCN meeting in the country that currently chairs ASEAN.
The conference, themed “Smart Solutions for Solving Urban Issues,” was expected to explore lessons learned, share ideas, and discuss innovative solutions to advance smart and sustainable urban development. This expectation was related to the opportunities and challenges arising from rapid urbanization in ASEAN countries.
The conference aimed to raise awareness and understanding of smart and sustainable urban initiatives at the national, regional, and global levels. Discuss good practices and lessons learned in implementing smart solutions to address urban issues in ASEAN cities; promote engagement and collaboration among ASCN member countries, other cities in Laos, and external partners.
Three Panel Sessions
There were three panel sessions, each geared toward realizing the stated objectives.
Panel Session 1 was themed “Smart Cities in ASEAN: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities.” This session discussed progress, challenges, and opportunities in realizing smart and sustainable city development in ASEAN, particularly in contributing to a competitive economy, a sustainable environment, and a high quality of life. The session was moderated by Mr. Riccardo Maroso, Programme Manager, UN-Habitat, Bangkok Programme Office, and featured three speakers representing smart city members of ASCN from Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, as well as representatives from the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlement (KRIHS) and the Lao Women’s Union.
Panel Session 2 was themed “Innovative Solutions in ASEAN Cities to Achieve People-Centred Smart Cities Development.” This session discussed efforts, success stories, and lessons learned from the use of technological and non-technological solutions to support ASEAN cities in addressing urban issues. Ms. Shikiko Tatsushima, Deputy Director for International Policy Division, Policy Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan, moderated the second session. Smart city representatives from Malaysia, Makassar, and Banyuwangi served as panelists, along with representatives from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. of Japan.
PACIS’s Role in Panel Session 3
The PACIS Chair moderated Panel Session 3, themed “Forging Partnerships to Spearhead Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in ASEAN.” This theme aligns with the recommendations of the ASCN PACIS Study Team, which emphasized the importance of collaboration among ASEAN smart cities, partnerships among all stakeholders, including donors and the private sector with local governments, and new innovations to realize smart and sustainable cities in ASEAN.
The panel session featured Dr. Amran Jamaludin as the keynote speaker, representing Indonesia as the ASCN Shepherd for 2023-2025. The Acting Director General of Regional, Urban, and Border Administration emphasized the importance of collaboration, partnerships, and innovation to accelerate the development of smart cities in ASEAN.
In panel session 3, Asep Dadang Dharmawan, representing Sumedang as the newest member of ASCN, outlined the achievements Sumedang has achieved since its declaration as a smart city in 2022. The Head of the Cooperation Section, representing the Sumedang Regency Secretary, also outlined plans for smart city development in Sumedang and expressed his hope for support from ASCN members and ASEAN dialogue partners.
The second speaker was Erike Malonda, founder and CEO of ASECH, based in Jimbaran, Bali. In her presentation, Erike demonstrated ASECH’s readiness to become a hub and training center for ASEAN smart cities. ASECH, established in 2023, has partnered with various parties to collaborate in developing smart cities in Indonesia and is ready to support smart cities in other ASEAN countries.
Mr. Changho Lee, Vice President of ESE Co., Ltd., was the third speaker on the panel. The Korean speaker explained the important role of partnerships in realizing smart city development in Korea and also demonstrated how strategic partnerships have supported the development of several smart cities in ASEAN, facilitated by K-ESE. So far, K-ESE has assisted Banyumas (Indonesia), Puerto Princessa City (Philippines), and Tam Ki City (Vietnam).
The fourth speaker in the third panel session was Ms. Sanjeevani Singh, Economic Affairs Officer, Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (ESCAP). In her presentation, Ms. Sanjeevani Singh provided an overview of the growth of smart cities in the Asia Pacific region, national smart city strategies, regional guidelines for smart cities developed by ESCAP, and regional collaboration for smart city development.
Partnerships and Funding as Enablers
Collaboration, partnerships, and innovation are crucial enablers for realizing smart and sustainable cities. Through strategic collaboration and partnerships, smart cities that are members of ASCN can jointly address funding issues, a common challenge in developing their respective smart cities. A sustainable collaborative ecosystem among ASCN stakeholders is needed to ensure improved, responsive, and accountable public services, enabling urban residents to live comfortably.
To conclude Panel 3, the Chair of PACIS, acting as moderator, recited a pantun reflecting everyone’s hopes for strengthening partnerships for the future sustainability of ASCN:
In Luang Prabang, where smart city lights play,
ASEAN’s bright future is just a step away.
With partnership strong, we laugh and we sway,
Together we dance into a new day.
