FEALAC

Networks

A network meeting held in San Salvador de Jujuy focusing on "Cities as agents of local development: culture, tourism and sustainable development". A total of 9 cities (5 from Asia-Pacific, 4 from Latin America and the Caribbean) plus 3 member countries shared their best practices and challenges through panel presentations. Experts in urbanism and "smart cities", relations with Asia, and businesspeople (Mercosur-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce), made special presentations as well.

Steps toward institutionalizing the network were adopted, such as the Declaration of San Salvador de Jujuy, which:
1) Introduces the role of regional coordinators until the next meeting (Jujuy was elected for Latin America and the Caribbean)
2) A proposal of Rotorua to be the next host was made, acceptance of which remains subject to internal consultations and approval with local and minnisterial authorities in New Zealand.
3) A project for the creation of the Cultural Cities Network of FEALAC Website was endorsed. Once implemented it will be useful for achieving a dynamic, current and permanent supply of information and communication, which may consolidate the connection and promotion of activities for culture, science, technology, economy, production, tourism and sustainable development.

Follow-up may be a discussion within the working group and a proposal to include the outcomes in the WG report at the next SOM meeting in Vientiane.
It is hoped that Rotorua can host the next meeting in 2019 or alternatively in 2020, for which a new project will eventually have to be registered and promoted in the future.

The attendance of Kwon Junghwa, FEALAC researcher in the Cyber Secretariat is appreciated and was helpful to get familiarized with the FEALAC webpage.