LCP co-organized the Asia Partners Forum on Local Economic Development: Strategic Leadership by Local Government in Lapu-Lapu City on October 16-18, 2013. More than 70 participants from the local government associations (LGAs) in Cambodia – the National League of Commune Sangkat (NLCS) - and Vietnam – the Association of Cities in Vietnam (ACVN) - participated in the three-day event to discuss new strategic agenda for local economic development in the ASEAN region.
The activity culminates the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) 18-month project with LCP, NLCS, and ACVN. During the event, the three LGAs presented their survey findings on LED programs and proposed new recommendations for effective LED strategy. The Asia Partners Forum and the Municipal Partners Economic Development (MPED) program were undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
In her welcome remarks, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza underscored that need to share best practices among local government associations. FCM member and Councillor for the City of Prince George, B.C. Garth Frizell said that FCM’s success depends on the cooperation of local governments, "But without strong leadership by local governments, it would be impossible to achieve results. Thanks to the excellent work of these three partners, we are able to make a very real difference in the lives of the residents of those countries," he added.