The overarching objective of APUF-8 is to accelerate the implementation of sustainable urban development to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Asia-Pacific region. To achieve this, APUF-8 participants will:

• Engage in in-depth discussions on the four thematic areas examined and presented in the flagship publication titled ‘Crisis Resilient Urban Futures for Asia and the Pacific.’ The publication aims to continue to build on the existing comprehensive regional guidance and foundation created by previous reports and support future sustainable urban development processes, planning and advocacy in a contextually relevant manner.
• Provide a platform for promoting inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and safe urban solutions and best practices by engaging stakeholders, constituencies, experts and the public. This platform will strengthen regional cooperation and foster collaborative efforts toward sustainable urban development.
• Mobilize commitments to enhance city development, policies and planning processes through strengthened partnerships and regional actions prioritizing sustainable urban development across the Asia-Pacific region. This will involve fostering collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships among stakeholders to drive sustainable urban development at the regional level.
• Formulate a strategic and inclusive roadmap for intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder cooperation on sustainable urban development in the Asia-Pacific region. This roadmap will guide collaborative efforts among governments, international organizations, civil society, academia and other stakeholders toward achieving sustainable urban development goals in the region.

Thematic Focus & Interlinkages

The 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-8) aims to bring together the experiences of multiple stakeholders to reflect on the colliding crises faced by cities in Asia and the Pacific, synthesize diverse approaches and actions to support urban resilience in the context of the New Urban Agenda and the decade for action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). High-level plenaries will draw insights from urban thought leaders, government officials and major stakeholder groups, based on real-world experiences of resilience-building and transformation through and beyond the pandemic. These plenaries aim to provoke, challenge, and invigorate participant understanding and commitment to sustainable urban development.

APUF-8 will be guided by four themes that will form the basis of the report, “Crisis Resilient Urban Futures for Asia and the Pacific,” which will be launched on the first day of the forum and will inform the thematic dialogues and outcomes of the overall event.