By Veronica Uy

Asean, home to about 583 million people, seeks to focus on the region's carbon-producing cities in its efforts to tackle global warming, it was learned Thursday.

According to Asean secretary general Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, about 290 million of Asean people live in cities and the number is expected to increase to 75 percent by 2050.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra explained the importance of the focus on cities during the meeting of representatives from several Asean cities early this week to discuss a draft founding declaration for the "Cool Asean, Green Capitals" initiative.

"Cities are centres of concentration of people and economic and social activities. They are also the major sources of pollution contributing to climate change. However, they have the resources, intellectual knowledge, and capacity to act and demonstrate leadership in the efforts to address climate change" he said.

The Bangkok governor, with the support of the Asean secretary general, is set to consult with the governors and mayors of major Asean cities on the initiative, which is planned to be formally launched in early 2010.

"This Initiative provides a platform for city-led, people-engaged actions on climate change to green city infrastructure, amenities and services, thereby contributing to Asean's efforts to cool the mounting global warming effects of climate change," said Surin.

The Asean secretary general stressed that climate change is not an end by itself, but also provides the means to engage all parties in a holistic manner to meet the everyday needs of citizens.

He said these needs include buildings/infrastructure, more green spaces, more efficient mass transportation, reduced and better waste and wastewater management, efficient use of energy and cleaner fuels including renewable energy, clean water supply, etc.

Actions on all these fronts contribute to cleaner air, water and land, which at the same time reduces the carbon footprint, he added.

Surin also explained that Asean's main goal is to be a people-centered institution, bringing the benefits of regional cooperation to the people.

The Asean leaders have issued several declarations emphasizing the serious impact of climate change to the region and Asean's commitment to proactively engage all levels of society to address this looming threat to survival, livelihood, and development.

The Cool Asean, Green Capitals initiative has also received the support of Asean's partners. "The World Bank is fully committed to assist Asean cities in addressing climate change, which is becoming a formidable challenge to continued progress and development" said Matthew Verghis, acting country director of World Bank in Thailand, at the meeting.

The World Bank could mobilise concessionary funds, promoting technology transfer and designing and implementing project activities particularly in developing countries to support the regional activities of the cities in this Initiative, Verghis said.