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The event brought together ambassadors from Asian and African countries, central and local government officials, academics, business leaders, and representatives of international organizations.

The symposium, with the theme of “Implementing Collaboration in Facing the Challenges of Climate Change, Urbanization, and the Clean Water Crisis through Collaborative and Innovative Approaches,” served as a strategic platform to strengthen city networks across Asia and Africa.

In his speech, Mayor of Bandung Muhammad Farhan emphasized the importance of cross-city collaboration as a strategy to tackle global challenges.

“City branding is no longer just a marketing tool but a reflection of identity and a vision for the future. Through this symposium, we aim to revive the spirit of Asia-Africa solidarity, fostering collaborative solutions for today’s urban challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, ITB Acting Rector and Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Irwan Meilano, S.T., M.Sc., affirmed ITB’s commitment to supporting international collaboration through research, policy innovation, and urban human resource development.

“Let us make the Bandung Asia-Africa City Network Symposium a catalyst for collaboration that transcends geographical and sectoral boundaries. In an era of interconnected global challenges, only through cooperation and solidarity can we build equitable, sustainable, and resilient cities for the future,” he stated.

Similarly, Acting Regional Secretary of Bandung City, Iskandar Zulkarnain, expressed hope that the symposium would become a pivotal event, fostering a shared commitment to creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.

Inspired by the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, this event marks a significant moment for enhancing cooperation, building innovative city networks, and driving actionable solutions to address future urbanization challenges.

Translator: Nafi'ah Rahni Nugrahanti (Civil Engineering Student, 2023)