ICLEI East Asia Secretariat

ICLEI East Asia Secretariat ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.

Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action.

19/05/2026

[📢 Tomorrow] The Hong Kong International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, from 18 to 20 May. ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, in collaboration with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), is organizing the ICLEI Panel Session on Hydrogen Innovation and Sustainable Urban Development on the morning of 20 May.

As an emerging player in energy transition, Uzbekistan is actively exploring how hydrogen can support industrial decarbonization, energy diversification, and long-term economic development. Representatives from the national government and private sectors are going to join the ICLEI Panel Session. Mr. Rikhsiboev Oybek, Chief Specialist of the Department of Ecology and Green Economy, Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, is going to share Uzbekistan’s efforts in actively exploring hydrogen solutions.

💡Check out the cards below ahead of the session to learn more about how Uzbekistan is building the foundation for hydrogen markets through strategic policy, international cooperation and pilot projects.

18/05/2026

🌱⚡Preview | 2026 Hong Kong International Hydrogen Development Symposium: Kazakhstan’s Green Hydrogen Pathway from Campus Pilot to Industrial Deployment

📢 Ahead of this month’s ICLEI Panel Session on Hydrogen Innovation and Sustainable Urban Development (20 May) at the 2026 Hong Kong International Hydrogen Development Symposium (18-20 May), ICLEI East Asia is spotlighting Kazakhstan’s green hydrogen initiatives as part of the country’s broader low-carbon transition ambition.

🔋 Kazakhstan is advancing hydrogen as a central component of its low-carbon transition through research-driven innovation and pilot-scale implementation. One notable example is the country’s first campus-based green hydrogen demonstration platform, integrating renewable energy, electrolysis, and hydrogen storage to support future industrial applications.

During the ICLEI Panel Session, 🇰🇿 Prof. Nurxat Nuraje from Renewable Energy Lab at the National Laboratory Astana will share key progress and experiences from Kazakhstan's green hydrogen pilot project.

💡 Check out the cards below to learn more about Kazakhstan’s green hydrogen initiatives, lessons learned, and future prospects.

12/05/2026

⚡East Asia Carbon-Neutral Cities Accelerator Case Highlight | Hong Kong’s Land Lease Regulation Update for EV Charging Network
👉https://eastasia.iclei.org/publication/annual-compendium-of-best-practices-on-carbon-neutral-cities-in-east-asia-2024-edition/

🚕🚌 Transport accounts for around 20% of Hong Kong’s total emissions, with nearly 90% of private vehicles still petrol-powered. However, dense urban structure, limited private parking, and insufficient charging infrastructure have constrained EV adoption.

⛽ The government revised the land lease conditions for petrol filling station(PFS) operators to deploy quick-charging stations(QCS), aiming to promote the “single site, multiple use” model.

🚗 The key revisions of the land lease conditions for the PFS include:
🔹 Incentivising PFS operators to install QCS through short-term lease extensions (3–7 years) without premium waivers
🔹 Shortening new PFS leases from 21 years to 12 years to promote transition
🔹 Setting maximum price caps for charging commercial vehicles to ensure affordability
🔹 Introducing conditional short-term lease renewals tied to installing EV charging facilities

📚 Since pilot projects in 2018, Hong Kong has scaled up efforts by converting PFSs into QCSs and tendering government sites for large-scale facilities. The government implemented QCSs on government land in Kowloon Bay and also made a maximum price cap for the charging of e-taxis and e-public light buses. Policy enforcement includes conditions tying lease renewal to charger installation, alongside regular publication of charging price caps.

💡 These policy reforms have led to the following results:
🔹 The approach has enabled rapid, cost-efficient infrastructure expansion at around 180 PFSs throughout Hong Kong.
🔹 Nearly 70% of newly registered private cars were EVs. By the end of 2024, approximately 33,000 parking spaces are expected to have charging facilities.
🔹 Supporting sustainable infrastructure while promoting cleaner transportation options.
🔹 Investment in EV has also stimulated job creation and supported broader low-carbon economic activity within the EV sector.

🏙️👉 Hong Kong’s experience illustrates how cities can creatively retrofit existing urban infrastructure to accelerate the green transition. For high-density, land-constrained cities facing similar bottlenecks, this case offers a practical and scalable pathway for fast-track EV adoption.

🚀

🌍 ICLEI East Asia Annual Report 2025: Driving Local Action for Global Sustainability👉 https://eastasia.iclei.org/publica...
13/04/2026

🌍 ICLEI East Asia Annual Report 2025: Driving Local Action for Global Sustainability
👉 https://eastasia.iclei.org/publication/2025-annual-report/

The newly released ICLEI 2025 Annual Report highlights a year of impactful collaboration and innovation in sustainable urban development. As cities worldwide confronted climate challenges and advanced zero-carbon transitions, ICLEI played a pivotal role in connecting local governments, fostering cross-regional partnerships, and promoting pragmatic climate action. Key achievements include:

🌿 Advancing zero-carbon strategies and ecological protection through global forums and city exchanges
🌿 Promoting resilience by sharing best practices in disaster adaptation and green technology
🌿 Tackling urban challenges such as food waste and enabling circular economy initiatives
🌿 Upholding equity and inclusiveness with capacity-building programs for cities
🌿 Strengthening international cooperation at major climate and sustainability events

The report also welcomes new members to the ICLEI network and outlines continued efforts to empower local governments for a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future.

Download and read the full report to explore detailed case studies, successful partnerships, actionable insights, and ICLEI East Asia’s future plan for advancing urban sustainability worldwide.

31/12/2025

⏰ As 2025 draws to a close, it’s inspiring to reflect on the progress we’ve made in sustainable development and climate action. 🌍 🎉

At the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, we remain steadfast in advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda by driving pragmatic action through multilateral collaboration.

In 2025, our efforts focused on:
🪴 Accelerating zero-carbon transformation in cities—bridging commitments and tangible actions.
🪴 Fostering international partnerships for climate governance, ecological protection, and resilience building.
🪴 Championing nature-based solutions, promoting coastal restoration, and supporting blue economy innovations.
🪴 Enhancing urban resilience through knowledge exchange and community empowerment.
🪴 Tackling food waste and building waste-free cities.
🪴 Ensuring inclusivity and capacity building so no one is left behind.
🪴 Expanding our global network with new members and deepening cooperation worldwide.

Looking ahead to 2026, ICLEI East Asia will continue to empower local governments, facilitate knowledge sharing, and support cities in shaping a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for all.🎉 🌟

🌏On November 12 at UNFCCC in Belém, Brazil, ICLEI East Asia Secretariat hosted the Shenzhen Session: Restore Mangrove ...
20/11/2025

🌏On November 12 at UNFCCC in Belém, Brazil, ICLEI East Asia Secretariat hosted the Shenzhen Session: Restore Mangrove Ecosystem, Unlock Blue Carbon Potential - Integrate Climate and Nature Action in Cities at the COP30 Cities & Regions Pavilion, bringing international partners together to spotlight leading practices in blue carbon development and mangrove conservation.

With guidance from the International Mangrove Center and Shenzhen authorities, and support from the Shenzhen International Low Carbon Forum Development Center, the session highlighted Shenzhen’s innovative nature-based solutions, pioneering carbon methodologies, and cross-regional cooperation.

🎯A key milestone: Shenzhen hosted China’s first mangrove conservation carbon credit auction in 2023, reaching a record USD $68/ton — now inspiring more blue carbon initiatives across Guangdong and energizing market-based approaches for ecosystem protection.

Additionally, the Shenzhen Natural Resources and Real Estate Assessment Research Conserv launched the English edition of the Methodology for Mangrove Conservation (v2.0), supporting global efforts in carbon accounting and project development for mangrove ecosystems.

✨ ️The event deepened global collaboration — with new partnerships between Shenzhen, ICLEI East Asia, and the State of Sergipe, Brazil. We exchanged insights on scaling blue carbon projects and accelerating international knowledge sharing.

This session marks another step forward for global blue carbon action and sustainable mangrove conservation — reinforcing our commitment to supporting cities with nature-based solutions and climate resilience.🌿

🌟Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, took the spotlight at the COP30 China Pavilion side event “Converg...
20/11/2025

🌟Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, took the spotlight at the COP30 China Pavilion side event “Converging Innovation in Hong Kong: Forging a Resilient City and a Global Green Finance Hub.” successfully held on 11 November 2025.

The session showcased Hong Kong’s leadership in innovative climate action and green finance, driving new momentum for resilient city development.

Mr Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of Hong Kong introduced the city’s strategy and progress towards achieving carbon neutrality before 2050.

ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin delivered a keynote speech, and Mr. Claudio Nicolá Castro Salas, the Mayor of Renca, Chile - an ICLEI Member City - shared valuable perspectives on engaging citizens and communities in resilience-building.

Following the event, ICLEI held a bilateral meeting with the Hong Kong delegation, exploring future cooperation in climate action and urban sustainability.

Hong Kong continues to lead and inspire global efforts toward resilient, green cities🌿🌏🏙️.

📣Cities and local governments around the world are driving real change through innovation—and now it’s time to share you...
27/10/2025

📣Cities and local governments around the world are driving real change through innovation—and now it’s time to share your achievements with a global audience!

The 7th Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation is officially open for submissions. Co-sponsored by the City of Guangzhou, UCLG, and Metropolis, this prestigious award recognizes creative initiatives that advance social, economic, and environmental sustainability and strengthen good urban governance worldwide.

With over 1,600 initiatives recognized to date, the Guangzhou Award offers a platform for city-to-city learning, global knowledge exchange, and progress towards the SDGs and New Urban Agenda.

If your city, local government, or partner organization has launched innovative projects—whether in social inclusion, environmental resilience, public services, smart cities, or urban heritage—this is your chance to be celebrated on the world stage.

Discover more about guidelines and updates on the official website. Let’s shape the future of urban innovation together! 🚀

📍 Final deadline for submission: 30 April 2026
📍 Get valuable feedback by 31 March 2026
👉 More info: https://www.guangzhouaward.org/p/the7th?lang=en

🌏During the past two days, the Yeoncheon Global Forum on Peace with Nature brought together local government leaders, en...
24/10/2025

🌏During the past two days, the Yeoncheon Global Forum on Peace with Nature brought together local government leaders, environmental experts, and community voices from around the world in Yeoncheon, South Korea. Under the theme “Solutions for local governments to achieve peaceful coexistence with nature,” the event addressed pressing challenges such as climate change, war, and population decline that threaten our living spaces.

Highlights included:
🌱 Ge Liu, Strategy Manager of ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, moderated Session 1 “Waterbird conservation and transboundary cooperation”. The session explained the current status of Yeoncheon’s protected areas and geopolitical issues, relevant global initiatives including “Journeys for Life”, and other local efforts on crucial biospheres.

🌱 Ms. Ankhmaa Shijirbaatar, Head of Social Policy Department of City of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, participated in Session 2 “Peri-urban and urban green networks, connectivity, and citizen well-being” as a panelist. She highlighted Ulaanbaatar’s efforts to become a livable, eco-friendly, and people-centered smart city under Mongolia’s Vision 2050, emphasizing the role of schools and kindergartens in fostering green and inclusive environments.

🌱 Ms. Xu Yu, Deputy Director-General of the Guiyang Ecology and Environment Bureau in China, presented Guiyang’s efforts to foster an eco-friendly city during the Yeoncheon Global Forum on Peace with Nature. She highlighted the city’s commitment to nature-based solutions and biodiversity conservation, as well as the promotion of citizen participation in ecological activities through education and incentive programs.

Hosted by Yeoncheon County, ICLEI Korea, and supported by ICLEI East Asia, the forum aligns with the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30×30 target and ICLEI’s nature-based pathway. Together, we’re advancing global cooperation for thriving, resilient communities and a healthier planet! 🌱🤝

🌏 The Climate Change Adaptation and Urban Resilience Study Trip in South Korea concluded on 17 October with a meaningful...
22/10/2025

🌏 The Climate Change Adaptation and Urban Resilience Study Trip in South Korea concluded on 17 October with a meaningful visit to Cheonggyecheon Stream, marking the end of an inspiring week of learning and exchange.

Over the past week, 12 delegates from China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, local governments, and civil organizations joined forces with Korean partners to explore the future of sustainable cities.

Together, we:
✅ Took part in in-depth sessions with the Citizens' Committee for Green Seoul and the Korea Environment Institute, gaining valuable perspectives on collaborative governance and innovative environmental policy.
✅ Joined exchange sessions in Seoul and Suwon, gaining firsthand knowledge of each city’s pioneering climate adaptation strategies and practical approaches to strengthening urban resilience.
✅ Visited inspiring sites like the Gongneung Youth Culture Information Center, Haenggung-dong EcoMobility Village, Nowon EZ Center, and Cheonggyecheon Stream.

From citizen-powered climate action in Seoul, to inclusive and green innovations in Suwon, to youth-led sustainability and urban river revitalization—the experience highlighted the power of collaboration and community leadership in building resilient, low-carbon, and livable cities.

Let’s keep working together for a greener, more sustainable future across Asia! 🌱🤝

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