At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, ICLEI South Asia represented the voices of its member cities, playing a key role in highlighting the importance of local governments in global climate action. Mr. Emani Kumar, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and Executive Director of ICLEI South Asia, led multiple sessions that showcased cities at the forefront of tackling climate change and building climate resilience.

Mr Kumar joined the High Level opening of Multilevel Action and at Urbanization Pavilion (MAUP), co-convened by UN-Habitat and ICLEI. He called for focus on cities and urban areas in global climate discussions, advocating for an inclusive and green transition. MAUP was convened this year with the message of ‘Addressing the climate emergency, which requires seamless collaboration across all governance levels’. He was joined by Dr. Shipra Narang Suri, Chief of UN-Habitat’s Urban Practices Branch; Maimunah Sharif, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur; Axel Grael, Mayor of Niterói, Brazil; Gillian Martin, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy; María Saralux Valbuena, Director of the Climate Change and Risk Department at Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development; Elmar Mammadov, Initiatives Co-Lead for the COP29 Presidency; and Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga, Director of Intergovernmental Support & Collective Progress.

Mr. Kumar also moderated a session at the Malaysian Pavilion, focusing on Malaysia’s Green City Action Plans (GCAPs). These plans are part of Malaysia’s strategy to create sustainable, climate-resilient cities under the 12th Malaysia Plan. Mr. Kumar shared that the first batch of cities—Penang Island, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, and Kuching (Padawan)—have completed their Green City Action Plans (GCAPs), which include urban profiles, GHG emissions inventories, climate vulnerability assessments, and sustainable infrastructure pipelines. These plans, with a combined investment potential of $16.76 billion by 2030, aim for significant emissions reductions of 19% to 30% from projected BAU emissions and a total GHG reduction of over 3.26 million tCO2e by 2030. During the session, Ir. Ts. Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor discussed the private sector’s role in Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) pipelines, while Dr. Renard Siew highlighted opportunities and risks in carbon credits. Mr. Arshad Nuval Othman shared insights on financing climate-resilient cities through sustainable finance.

At the US Center session ‘Raising the Bar and Setting the Pace: Cities, States, and Regions Leading the Race Toward a Net-Zero, Climate-Resilient Future’ organized by the U.S. State Department, Mr. Kumar highlighted ICLEI’s initiatives in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, integrated waste management, and building climate resilience being implemented in cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

On 13 November, Mr. Kumar participated in the launch of the Transition Element Framework (TEF) at the Swedish Pavilion. The TEF is a new tool to help cities take strong action on climate change by turning their commitments into real, measurable results. A significant highlight of the session was the signing of a partnership between ICLEI South America and ClimateView to start a study on helping cities plan and track their climate actions. This partnership will provide cities with the necessary tools to measure and track their progress on climate goals.

On the same day, Mr. Kumar also spoke at the Korea Pavilion, where he delivered a key presentation on Multi-Level Climate Action and NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). He explained that integrating local actions into national climate plans can strengthen efforts to reduce emissions and build resilience in cities. He highlighted the urgency for countries to strengthen urban components in their NDCs focusing on decarbonizing urban infrastructure, promoting climate-resilient urban planning, supporting sustainable mobility, mobilizing green finance, and strengthening local governance for effective climate action. He also informed about the The Asia LEDS Partnership Forum 2024, held from 20-22 August in Bangkok which brought together government officials from 32 Asia-Pacific nations to discuss decarbonization and climate resilience. Mr. Kumar highlighted the launch of the Competitive Procurement Center (CPC), which offers technical assistance to ASEAN states on clean energy procurement under the USAID Southeast Asia Smart Power Program (SPP) initiative.

On 13 and 14 November, Mr. Kumar addressed extreme heat resilience at key COP29 events as global temperatures rise. Speaking at the Climate, Peace, and Transboundary Resilience Pavilion, he highlighted collaboration among local governments, communities, and organizations to protect vulnerable populations. He also participated in the launch of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) high-level event, he shared insights from Narayanganj, Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for cross-sectoral cooperation and long-term, scalable solutions to address extreme heat challenges in urban areas, particularly in the Global South.

On 15 November, at the Regional Climate Foundation (RCF) Pavilion session Driving Climate Action: The Role of Sub-National Initiatives by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Mr. Kumar discussed how Indian cities, under the Swiss government-supported CapaCITIES project, are preparing climate action plans. Mr. Kumar shared that eight Net-Zero Climate Action Plans of Indian cities have been prepared, with 17 quick-win and 11 bankable projects implemented. The cities require over USD 86 billion in climate finance by 2070, aiming for up to 91% emissions reduction. Those actions are expected to create around 800,000 green jobs in 8 Indian cities.

ICLEI, as the focal point for the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency at the United Nations, welcomed a historic climate finance deal at COP29, while urging greater ambition to safeguard global communities. Key achievements included the release of the COP29 Joint Position advocating for inclusive, multilevel climate action and the endorsement of the Multisectoral Action Pathways (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities Declaration. Other highlights included Brazil’s updated NDC showcasing multilevel collaboration and the third Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, which reaffirmed cities’ vital role in climate resilience and sustainable urbanization. ICLEI and LGMA remain committed to driving progress through stronger policy integration, equitable financing, and locally-led climate actions.