International Network & Twin Cities

ASEAN SOM/MGM is a forum for discussion, sharing perspectives, and exchanging experiences on urban management among ASEAN cities and their respective Mayors/Governors. The SOM (Senior Officials Meeting) is conducted prior to the MGM (Meeting of Governors and Mayors) to deliberate on key details and ensure readiness for the MGM.

The platform brings together capital cities of ASEAN nations, including Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei Darussalam), Jakarta (Indonesia), Vientiane Capital (Lao PDR), Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Manila (Philippines), and Naypyidaw (Myanmar). First organized by Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2013, the hosting of SOM/MGM rotates in accordance with the ASEAN chairmanship.

ASCN serves as a cooperative network of cities across ASEAN, aiming to foster smart and sustainable urban development through technology to enhance residents' well-being. Malaysia is represented at the federal level by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), while the Malaysian cities involved in this initiative include Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu.

Founded in October 2005, C40 is a global network of leading cities, comprising over 700 members dedicated to tackling climate change. It facilitates collaboration, promotes the exchange of best practices, and encourages cities to adopt meaningful, sustainable, and measurable climate actions. The main secretariat is based in New York, USA, while the regional office is located in Singapore. More details can be found at www.c40.org

CityNet is an international alliance that engages urban stakeholders in cities across the Asia-Pacific region to advance the goal of sustainable and resilient cities. Its initiatives are structured into four clusters: Sustainable Development Goals, Disaster Management, Climate Change, and Infrastructure. CityNet’s formation and activities are backed by UNESCAP, UNDP, and UN-HABITAT.

CityNet’s urban stakeholders include not only cities but also NGOs, private corporations, and research institutions. The organization's President and Secretariat are headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. For further details, visit citynet-ap.org

CPTA (Council for the Promotion of Tourism in Asia) is a global network dedicated to promoting tourism through various campaigns. The network includes 10 cities: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand; Delhi, India; Hanoi, Vietnam; Jakarta, Indonesia; Manila, Philippines; Seoul, South Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; Tomsk, Russia; and Tokyo, Japan. The secretariat is based in Tokyo, Japan. More details are available at www.welcomeasia.jp

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) represents a global commitment by city leaders to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthen urban resilience against climate change. Over 10,539 cities from 139 countries have joined this initiative. GCoM partners with multiple international organizations, such as Bloomberg, the European Commission, and Climate Alliance, to drive climate action. The GCoM Secretariat is based in Brussels, Belgium. More details can be found at www.globalcovenantofmayors.org

Metropolis is an international network that brings together major cities and metropolitan regions. This platform facilitates engagement among urban stakeholders, allowing them to exchange knowledge and expertise on global urban challenges. Key discussion areas include global leadership, city innovation, and gender equity. Activities within Metropolis include congresses, annual meetings, knowledge-sharing through observatories, Urban Sustainable Exchange (USE), city community managers, pilot projects, learning and training programs, and strategic collaborations. The Metropolis Secretariat is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. For more details, visit www.metropolis.org

The United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) serves as an international platform for strengthening collaboration among government agencies through advocacy, capacity development, research and knowledge exchange, project planning, and city partnerships across the Asia-Pacific. The Mayor of Surabaya currently holds the presidency, with the UCLG ASPAC Secretariat headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. More details can be found at uclg-aspac.org.

The Kuala Lumpur-Ankara Twin City Proclamation was signed on February 1, 1984, in Kuala Lumpur by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, YBhg. Tan Sri Elyas bin Omar, and the Mayor of Ankara, TYT Suleyman Onder. On June 25, 1990, in Kuala Lumpur, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Mayor of Ankara, H. E. Murat Karayaician, and the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Elyas bin Omar. The MoU outlined the following areas of cooperation:

1. Exchange of expertise in urban planning, housing, and environmental matters;

2. Promotion of educational visits to study and gain insights into development projects in both cities; and

3. Hosting cultural events to nurture and strengthen mutual understanding among the residents of both cities.

The partnership between Kuala Lumpur and Casablanca, Morocco, was initiated by Casablanca’s Deputy Mayor, Mr. Ahmad Kadiri, during his visit to Kuala Lumpur in January 1989. The proposal to establish a Twin City relationship via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) received the Prime Minister’s approval on January 12, 1990. A Letter of Intent to formalize the Twin City status was signed on May 31, 1991. The MoU between Casablanca and Kuala Lumpur was officially signed on July 11, 1992, in Casablanca.

Key elements of the Memorandum of Understanding include:

i) Exchange of expertise in urban management;
ii) Economic and tourism cooperation;
iii) Administrative collaboration and information sharing; and
iv) Cultural and artistic exchange, youth programs, and sports initiatives.

Malaysia’s government, represented by Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and India’s government, represented by the Corporation of Chennai, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 25, 2010, with the objective of strengthening ties and fostering cooperation between the two cities. The MoU includes the following provisions:

• Joint research and activities in urban management;

• Expertise exchange programs;

• Sharing of information, experiences, and insights through collaborative training, seminars, and study visits;

• Hosting dialogues and meetings to address mutually beneficial urban issues.

The Esfahan-Kuala Lumpur partnership was initiated following a recommendation by the former Prime Minister on April 18, 1993, to establish a sister-city relationship. The proposal received approval on July 15, 1993, leading to the signing of a Letter of Intent between Kuala Lumpur’s Mayor, Tan Sri Dr. Mazlan bin Ahmad, and Esfahan’s Mayor, H.E. Hamid Reza Azimian, on August 18, 1993, in Kuala Lumpur. A follow-up visit to Esfahan was conducted from October 5-12, 1993. This collaboration covers various sectors, including economic development, education, social and cultural exchanges, youth and sports, as well as trade and tourism.

The partnership between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka was officially signed on April 15, 1989, by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur and the President of the Melaka Municipal Council. The agreement covers the following aspects:

1. Strengthening and advancing mutual areas of interest as stipulated in the action plan for the welfare of their communities; and

2. Expanding collaboration in economic development, education, social and cultural affairs, youth and sports, and the business and tourism sectors.

The "Business Partner City" agreement between Kuala Lumpur and Osaka was formalized on August 10, 1989, in Osaka. However, as trade-related affairs fall under the purview of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), MATRADE and Osaka later signed a cooperation agreement in 1994.

The partnership aims to enhance and encourage economic collaboration, particularly in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector (business partner city affiliation), while also strengthening ties of friendship and mutual welfare between the residents of Kuala Lumpur and Osaka.