UNIDO ITPO Tokyo participated in the International Training Workshop on Smart Cities in Asia and the Pacific, held from 13 to 15 May 2025 at JICA Kansai Center in Kobe, Japan. The workshop was organized by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD), in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and JICA Kansai.
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, this year’s workshop was held under the theme “Building Safe, Resilient, Inclusive, Livable, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.” It welcomed 19 local government representatives from nine countries, including mayors and deputy governors. Participating cities included Dhulikhel (Nepal), Makassar and Nusantara Capital Authority (Indonesia), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Battambang, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville (Cambodia), and Penang Island and Seberang Perai (Malaysia), with discussions focusing on risk reduction from earthquakes and water-related disasters.
UNIDO ITPO Tokyo delivered a presentation titled “Leveraging Japanese Technologies for Disaster-Resilient Cities: The Role of UNIDO’s Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform (STePP)” during the session on the role of policymakers and urban planners. The presentation introduced real-world applications of Japanese technologies transferred through STePP, highlighting UNIDO’s role in facilitating public-private cooperation for urban resilience. UNIDO also supported the participation of a STePP-registered company based in Kobe, coordinating both its technical presentation and exhibition booth.
The workshop served as a meaningful platform for cities to learn practical approaches and explore adaptable solutions to shared challenges. UNIDO’s contribution underscored the importance of connecting proven technologies with local needs, fostering concrete pathways for implementation.
Moving forward, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo will continue to promote targeted technology collaboration through STePP and the Delegate Programme, supporting cities in their pursuit of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban development.
