Who we are

By 2015, 23 cities will exceed the population of 10 million inhabitants.
19 of those cities will be in developing countries.
11 of them in Asia. CITYNET can help.

For over 20 years, CITYNET (The Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements) has committed itself to helping local governments improve the sustainability of human settlements. Starting with 26 members in 1987, CITYNET has grown to become an international organisation of more than 100 members in more than 20 countries, most of which are cities and local governments in the Asia-Pacific region.

CITYNET:

believes that together we can work toward people-friendly cities that are socially just, ecologically sustainable, politically participatory, economically productive, culturally vibrant, and globally connected.
is a unique network working with a wide range of urban stakeholders, including local governments, development authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), associations of local authorities, research and training institutes and private companies.
helps cities and local governments and partners provide better services to citizens with the commitment to capacity building at the local level.
works in close partnerships with the United Nations and other bi- and multilateral organisations and agencies. In 1995, CITYNET was granted consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations.
was recognised by UN-HABITAT with the 2002 Scroll of Honour for "playing a key role in facilitating City to City Cooperation and networking amongst local governments, NGOs and development agencies in Asia".

Why should cities and local authorities co-operate with others?

Share knowledge and experience on different urban fields
Access information and various resources
For global socio-economic development and environmental improvement
Formulate solutions through technical cooperation

Our Approach and Methods

CITYNET supports its members through a holistic approach to dealing with important issues facing our cities. This is done mainly through partner development, advocacy, institutional capacity building and knowledge sharing .

Priority Clusters

Other Programmes

Satellite Office

Mumbai

National Chapters

Further Links

Flagship Programmes

CITYNET's cluster system is the core of the programme activities. Focusing on four cluster categories (Climate Change, Infrastructure (INFRA), Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), Disaster), each cluster has its own programmes, projects, activities and events including Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC), Technical Advisory Services (TAS) , Seminar and Workshops, and Capacity Building activities through the Kuala Lumpur Training Centre (KLRTC) and CIFAL Shanghai among others.

Location and National Chapters

The CITYNET Secretariat, located in Yokohama, Japan as the Presidency City, is currently undergoing the process of decentralisation alongside the current four National Chapters - Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, as a means to keep up with our rapidly growing membership and urban challenges.

Our Mission

CITYNET endeavours to strengthen the capabilities of local governments to effectively manage the urban development process through the promotion of exchange of expertise and experience and to build partnerships among all urban stakeholders particularly between local authorities and civil society groups.

Yokohama, Japan
President The City of Yokohama has supported CITYNET as the Network’s President for 20 years since its inception. During this time, the City of Yokohama is proud to have demonstrated leadership and contributed to many cities towards the resolution of urban issues in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The 6th CITYNET Congress was held successfully in Yokohama in September of this year, and we are honored that the City of Yokohama was once again elected as President. We will dedicate our efforts for the further development of CITYNET more than ever before.
The City of Yokohama would like to continue to contribute regarding common issues that many CITYNET members face, such as environmental issues and global warming countermeasures, through the introduction of advanced programs and the spread of environmental education in addition to the dispatch of experts and the acceptance of trainees in fields such as urban transportation, water and sewerage. Together with CITYNET, let us aim to be safe, comfortable cities!
Mumbai, India
First Vice-President CITYNET has over the years metamorphosed into a platform to bring together City Governments of all shapes and sizes and provide them an opportunity to interact. It is hearting to note that the City Governments have started vigorously pursuing the MDG's after the signing of the Mumbai Declaration of 2004.
Makati, Phillipines
Second Vice-President The strength of CITYNET enhances its member cities' capacity to attain continuously greater techniques and skills to handle problems. Actually, our problems are common in nature, just different in scale...our affiliation will produce valuable results for our people and to our world.
Mary Jane C. Ortega
Secretary General The last decade has seen CITYNET consolidate its position as Asia's leading Platform for local Government and with the strong links it has forged with various City Networks both globally and regionally, I can confidently say that our worldwide footprint is well and truly established.