Pontianak Becomes UCLG ASPAC Member, Strengthens Position in Asia-Pacific

Ria Sartika    Sunday, May 10, 2026    Comment   

Pontianak Becomes UCLG ASPAC Member, Strengthens Position in Asia-Pacific

Pontianak officially joins UCLG ASPAC to expand international cooperation and strengthen sustainable urban development efforts across the Asia-Pacific region.

Pontianak officially joined the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), marking a major step in expanding international cooperation and strengthening the city’s position on the global stage. The announcement was delivered by Pontianak Regional Secretary Amirullah during the UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau and The Asia Pacific Forum 2026 at Hotel Claro Kendari on Friday night, May 8, 2026.

Amirullah said the city’s inclusion in the largest local government organization in the Asia-Pacific region represents an important milestone for Pontianak as it seeks to broaden global partnerships and increase its international engagement.

“On behalf of the Pontianak City Government and the people of Pontianak, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to UCLG ASPAC for officially welcoming Pontianak into this organization,” he said.

According to him, the membership is more than an administrative achievement. It also carries a significant responsibility for Pontianak to contribute to solving global challenges alongside other cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

He emphasized that issues such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and social inequality cannot be solved by a single city or country alone.

“We believe solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, including climate change, inequality, and urbanization, are built from the ground up — city by city, community by community,” Amirullah stated.

Membership in UCLG ASPAC also gives Pontianak broader opportunities to expand international networks, exchange knowledge, and access technical assistance as well as green financing for environmentally sustainable urban development.

Pontianak’s path toward global collaboration began in late 2021 when the city was selected as one of four Indonesian pilot cities in the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) program.

At the time, Pontianak was the only city from Kalimantan recognized for its strong commitment to climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

With support from UCLG ASPAC as the regional secretariat for GCoM, Pontianak continued to make progress in sustainable development initiatives. The city earned the GCoM Compliance Badge in May 2025 after meeting global standards in preparing climate action plans.

Several programs implemented in Pontianak, including integrated waste management and flood mitigation initiatives, have also started gaining attention as best-practice examples for mid-sized cities across Southeast Asia.

As an active member of UCLG ASPAC, Pontianak now has wider access to collaboration with international experts to strengthen urban infrastructure and improve resilience against climate change and environmental threats.

The membership also positions Pontianak as an emerging model city in the Asia-Pacific region for sustainable, inclusive, and low-emission urban development.

559 Climate Villages In South Kalimantan Boost Disaster Mitigation Efforts

Jerry    Tuesday, April 07, 2026    Comment   

559 Climate Villages In South Kalimantan Boost Disaster Mitigation Efforts

DLH South Kalimantan records 559 Climate Village (ProKlim) locations strengthening climate adaptation and mitigation to reduce flood, drought, and wildfire risks.

BANJARMASIN — The Environmental Agency of South Kalimantan (DLH Kalsel) has recorded 559 Climate Village Program (ProKlim) locations across the province as of 2025. The program continues to play an important role in strengthening climate adaptation and mitigation efforts to reduce disaster risks in the region.

Head of DLH South Kalimantan, Rahmat Prapto Udoyo, stated that climate change is no longer just a global concern but has become a reality directly experienced by communities at the local level.

“Climate change is now a reality felt directly by communities, requiring planned and sustainable responses,” Rahmat said during the Technical Guidance (Bimtek) on Strengthening Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Actions in Banjarmasin on Monday.

Climate Change Impacts Becoming More Visible

According to Rahmat, the impacts of climate change in South Kalimantan have become increasingly noticeable in recent years. This is reflected in rising average temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasing intensity of extreme weather events.

These conditions have triggered various hydrometeorological disasters, including:

• More frequent flooding

• Drought in several areas

• Forest and land fires

• Environmental degradation caused by land-use conversion

He emphasized that the impacts of climate change do not only cause economic losses but also affect public health, social activities, and environmental sustainability.

Strategic Role Of Local Governments

DLH South Kalimantan highlighted that local governments play a strategic role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through mitigation actions, while also improving community resilience through adaptation measures.

These actions are expected to be integrated into regional development planning to ensure environmental policies remain sustainable rather than short-term solutions.

Rahmat explained that the 559 registered ProKlim locations from 2014 to 2025 represent concrete, community-based actions to address climate change challenges.

The program encourages communities to actively protect the environment through activities such as waste management, tree planting, water conservation, and the use of environmentally friendly energy.

Hundreds Of ProKlim Awards Achieved

In addition to the growing number of locations, South Kalimantan has also achieved significant recognition through the Climate Village Program.

A total of 637 ProKlim awards have been distributed across various regions in South Kalimantan. This achievement reflects the active participation of communities and stakeholders in maintaining environmental sustainability.

Rahmat noted that climate action recording and monitoring are now more structured through the National Registry System for Climate Change Control (SRN PPI).

This system plays a key role in:

• Recording climate-related activities

• Reporting environmental programs

• Monitoring emission reduction targets

• Aligning regional initiatives with national goals

Strengthening Capacity Of Local Government Officials

Through the technical training sessions organized by DLH South Kalimantan, local governments aim to improve the capacity of officials in planning and reporting climate actions.

This step is considered essential to ensure that climate adaptation and mitigation programs are carried out in a:

• Systematic

• Measurable

• Integrated

• Sustainable manner

With stronger institutional capacity, regional authorities remain optimistic about improving resilience against climate-related disasters.

Long-Term Commitment To Address Climate Change

The Climate Village Program has become one of the key strategies in building community awareness about the importance of environmental protection.

Community involvement is widely considered a critical factor in reducing disaster risks and maintaining ecosystem balance in South Kalimantan.

With more regions joining the program, local authorities expect climate adaptation and mitigation measures to become increasingly effective in the future.

FAQ

What Is The Climate Village Program (ProKlim)?

The Climate Village Program (ProKlim) is a national community-based initiative designed to strengthen climate adaptation and mitigation at the local level.

How Many ProKlim Locations Are In South Kalimantan?

As of 2025, DLH South Kalimantan has recorded 559 registered ProKlim locations across the province.

What Climate Change Impacts Are Occurring In South Kalimantan?

Key impacts include increased flooding, drought, forest and land fires, and shifts in rainfall and temperature patterns.

What Is The Function Of The SRN PPI System?

The SRN PPI system is used to record, report, and monitor climate actions to ensure alignment with national climate targets.

Why Is The ProKlim Program Important For Communities?

Because it helps communities strengthen resilience against disasters while improving environmental sustainability.