Regional Executive Committee

A fourth generation political leader and a trained lawyer, A. H. M. Khairuzzaman Liton became Mayor of Rajshahi in 2008, and was re-elected in 2016. Under his leadership, the city adopted a new master plan to become a modern, developed, livable, affordable, and model city. Mayor Khairuzzaman Liton received several sustainability awards, including the 2020 Environmental Friendly City of the year, 2012 Environmental Award, and 2009 National Award on Tree Plantation.

As Vice-president of the Municipal Association of Nepal (since 2001) and Mayor of Dhulikhel (since 2017), Ashok Byanju is committed to promoting better urban planning and biodiversity throughout Nepal. He is convinced that preserving biodiversity will have a positive impact on sustainability in South Asia, since it will encourage the conservation of natural resources like soil and water. Photo credit: setopati.net

Fathimath Afshan Latheef started her involvement in public life at 10, representing her country at the first SAARC Arts and Cultural Festival, and later at the Youth Forum for the World Food Summit. Before becoming CEO of the Local Government Authority of Maldives, Ms. Latheef was involved with several NGOs (in particular for election-related matters), and she worked for the President’s office and the ministry of foreign affairs.

Meet CEO Fathimath Afshan Latheef (YouTube Video)

Prior to being elected Mayor of Thimphu in 2021, Ugyen Dorji worked for the City for 11 years, most recently as deputy chief urban planner. He has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Australia and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the College of Science and Technology in Phuentsholing. Mayor Dorji is committed to improving municipal services, in particular drinking water, waste management, sanitation, pollution and road conditions.

Mrs. Satya Kaundal began her career as an officer in the Shimla Municipal Corporation in the state of Himachal Pradesh. She was later elected councillor, before being elected Mayor in 2020. She is deeply committed to promoting resilient development by maintaining a delicate balance between the conservation of the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas and the relentless process of urbanisation, in order to build a sustainable city. Mrs. Kaundal has a deep knowledge of the functioning of urban local bodies and an abiding interest in resolving social issues.

Mr. Sunil Uniyal has been involved in politics in the city of Dehradun, the capital of the state of Uttarakhand, for three decades. In December 2018, he was elected Mayor of the city‘s Municipal Corporation. He has worked actively for sustainable and climate-resilient urban development, and has also supported the State Biodiversity Board and the Biodiversity Management Committee to prepare the People’s Biodiversity Register. As a member of ICLEI South Asia’s Regional Executive Committee, Mr Uniyal takes every opportunity to encourage peer learning from other cities in South Asia that face similar challenges in implementing climate action.

A filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and an elected municipal Councillor of Delhi, Ms. Yasmin Kidwai has two decades of experience in working with multiple groups of leaders, bureaucrats, international NGOs, and consultants. Taking her entrepreneurial interests forward, she has conceived and developed Namaste Orchha, a cultural festival that aims to promote sustainable development in Orchha, a small town in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, and is involved in providing employment opportunities to the youth and women. Ms. Kidwai is also committed to amplifying the voices of the vulnerable, especially the elderly and women, in the decision-making process in Delhi.