Goyang, South Korea, 24-26 September 2025 – Representatives from Thai cities took centre stage at the 10th UCLG ASPAC Congress, as they joined the Learning and Pairing Session focusing on strengthening sustainability and resilience in Asia-Pacific cities.

Delegates from Hat Yai Municipality, Chiang Mai Provincial Administration, Chiang Mai Municipality and Khon Kaen Municipality engaged in a structured city-pairing programme centred on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and urban mobility.

The city-pairing initiative is designed to connect learner cities with knowledgeable cities, fostering peer-to-peer learning, exchanging technical expertise and co – developing innovative solutions to shared urban challenges. This collaborative model enables municipalities to move beyond theory by applying proven practices, piloting local projects and adapting global strategies to their local contexts.

Through this initiative, Thai cities actively engaged with international peers, including Seoul, Shenzhen, Hamamatsu, Malé, Jambi and Baguio. They explored solutions ranging from flood mitigation and ecological restoration to sustainable transport and inclusive mobility systems. The cities will develop a six-month city-pairing work plan and identify knowledgeable cities to devise concrete activities for further collaboration.

The city pairing not only highlights Thailand’s commitment to climate-responsive and people-centred urban development but also provides a practical pathway for cities like Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen to bring home valuable insights and implement them locally.

As part of the Urban-Act Project, implemented through GIZ, UCLG ASPAC, and its partners, these collaborations are expected to make meaningful contributions to Thailand’s ongoing efforts to advance sustainable and climate-resilient cities. The Urban-Act Project is financed by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) under the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) of the Federal Government of Germany.