Politically, economically, and culturally diverse, the wider Asian region accounts for more than half of the world’s population and a growing share of the world’s GNP; Asia has emerged as an important player in the global economy.
In many parts of the region, major trends are pushing toward openness and accountability, decentralization, democracy of local governments, and globalization. These political and economic forces are creating a demand for new skills in local and national governments to improve public and business confidence, public financial management, and delivery of vital public services.
At the same time, a large proportion of the world’s poor live in Asia, and some countries have very basic needs--to restore deteriorated physical infrastructure and improve local services to meet the requirements of growing urban populations. Cities in Afghanistan, for example, have suffered years of neglect during a lengthy period of conflict. And cities on the coast of India were devastated by the tsunami of 2004.
ICMA's Work Experience and Objectives in Asia
ICMA has been building strong, responsive institutions that boost citizen participation at the local level throughout much of South and East Asia since 1994. And we have helped rebuild physical and civic infrastructure in cities recovering from conflict or natural disasters. Training and technical assistance in areas that strengthen good governance and service delivery are at the heart of ICMA’s efforts to build skills and enhance local government performance.
In 2005, ICMA opened a field office in the region that evolved to became the Urban Management Centre (UMC) in Ahmedabad, India. Through the development of local associations, leagues of cities and municipalities, and local government units, ICMA and UMC promote more effective, responsible, and accountable local government by focusing on expanded and equitable delivery of services, good governance, and sound financial and management practices at the city, county, and provincial levels. UMC has been a strong partner in ICMA’s work in India and Afghanistan.
Through the Afghanistan Municipal Strengthening Program, ICMA has supported local governments in selected provincial capitals by increasing the capacity of municipal officials and their staffs to plan and deliver public services and establish mechanisms to increase revenues. The program has implemented small infrastructure projects, delivered training, initiated youth programs, and introduced GIS mapping as the basis for municipal plans. Through the Commercialization of Afghanistan Water & Sanitation Activity (CAWSA) program, ICMA has helped local water utilities in four cities prepare for eventual privatization by improving operating efficiency and financial management.
In India, ICMA helped the tsunami-ravaged coastal cities of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, India, rebuild infrastructure, implement flood mitigation measures, and improve the availability of clean, reliable drinking water for residents. Through the Post Tsunami Recovery Program, ICMA facilitated a CityLinks partnership between the two municipalities and three Florida cities that offered experience in disaster management because of their vulnerability to hurricanes.
ICMA is a member of a team that was awarded funding to carry out a program in Sri Lanka to stimulate economic growth in communities of the Eastern province by developing the capacity of the local governments to create an enabling environment for their private firms. A major goal of the program is to create new jobs and attract investment in the region. In an earlier program (Transparent Accountable Local Governance, 2005-2007), ICMA supported Sri Lanka’s transition to a democratic society through inclusive and peaceful approaches to politics and governance.
ICMA has worked on projects in Indonesia to help strengthen local governments through
- Direct technical assistance in financial and management reforms, strengthening professional qualifications in performance-based budgeting and performance management and increasing citizen participation
- Capacity building for local government associations
- Development of partnerships between Indonesian cities and counties and cities in the U.S. to work on technical issues such as improved solid waste management services and financial management.
ICMA also has past performance in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Mongolia.