(L-R) Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay of Makati City, Philippines, ICLEI Global Executive Committee (GexCom) Innovative Finance Portfolio holder, 2024-2027; Alfredo M. Coro II of the Municipality of Del Carmen, Philippines, ICLEI GexCom Biodiversity Portfolio holder, 2024-2027; and Datin Sapiah binti Haron of the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Malaysia, ICLEI GexCom Sustainable Energy Transition Portfolio holder, 2024-2027.

Three mayors in Southeast Asia (SEA) have been elected to the ICLEI Global Executive Committee (GexCom) as portfolio representatives of ICLEI’s work in innovative finance, biodiversity, and sustainable energy transition.

The following mayors of ICLEI SEA member local governments will serve a three-year term (2024-2027) as portfolio holders in the ICLEI GexCom:

• Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay of Makati City, Philippines – Innovative Finance Portfolio
• Alfredo M. Coro II of the Municipality of Del Carmen, Philippines – Biodiversity Portfolio
• Datin Sapiah binti Haron of the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Malaysia – Sustainable Energy Transition Portfolio

The Southeast Asian mayors join the rest of the ICLEI GexCom for 2024-2027, which is composed of portfolio holders representing 11 thematic areas and regional representatives of ICLEI’s nine Regional Executive Committees (RexCom).

The ICLEI GexCom for 2024-2027 was formally presented during the ICLEI World Congress 2024, hosted by the City of São Paulo, Brazil last June 19-21.

“As frontline to the constituency and biodiversity, it is incumbent upon local governments to be innovative in developing solutions, communicating the needed actions and locating funds to support the initiatives,” said Mayor Coro during the World Congress.

Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II (rightmost) of the Municipality of Del Carmen, Philippines in the ICLEI GexCom and RexCom meeting as the Biodiversity Portfolio holder of the ICLEI GexCom for 2024-2027 during the ICLEI World Congress 2024, June 19-21 in São Paulo City, Brazil.

The aforementioned mayors are also currently serving as ICLEI SEA’s RexCom members for 2024-2027, with Mayor Binay as the regional representative.

A recorded message from Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay of Makati City, Philippines being presented during the ICLEI GexCom and RexCom meeting in the ICLEI World Congress 2024, June 19-21 in São Paulo City, Brazil. The mayor is the ICLEI Southeast Asia Regional Representative and ICLEI GexCom’s Innovative Finance Portfolio holder for 2024-2027.

During the Congress, the current GexCom and RexCom members also formally met the newly elected ICLEI President, First Vice President, and two Vice Presidents for 2024-2027:

• President: Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor, City of Malmö, Sweden
• First Vice President: Minna Arve, Mayor, City of Turku, Finland
• Vice President: Marjorie Kauffmann, Secretary of State for Environment and Infrastructure, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
• Vice-President: Mohamed Sefiani, Mayor, City of Chefchaouen, Morocco

The ICLEI President, First Vice President and two Vice Presidents are the executive officers that represent the global organization and lead the global governing bodies of the GexCom and the ICLEI Council. The nine RexComs representing regions in the world with ICLEI member local governments make up the ICLEI Council which, together with the ICLEI GexCom, serve as the ICLEI network’s governing bodies.

A recorded message from Mayor Datin Sapiah binti Haron of the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Malaysia being presented during the ICLEI GexCom and RexCom meeting in the ICLEI World Congress 2024, June 19-21 in São Paulo City, Brazil. The mayor is the ICLEI GexCom’s Sustainable Energy Transition Portfolio holder for 2024-2027.

Members of the RexCom, Council, and GexCom are elected every three years. ICLEI member local governments in each region elect their RexCom members. In each RexCom, one regional representative is chosen to be part of the GexCom. RexCom members of all nine regions (formed as the Council) also elect thematic portfolio holders for the GexCom who will be responsible for a specific working area.

The GexCom represents ICLEI towards international institutions and has the authority to make strategic decisions concerning the organization, while the RexCom approves new initiatives and programs in a region.

Ms. Merlina Panganiban (center), City Urban Development Officer of Makati City, Philippines, in the ICLEI GexCom and RexCom meeting as the representative of Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay during the during the ICLEI World Congress 2024, June 19-21 in São Paulo City, Brazil. Mayor Binay is the Southeast Asia RexCom regional representative and Innovative Finance Portfolio holder of the ICLEI GexCom 2024-2027.

Meanwhile, the ICLEI Council (members of all nine RexComs) serve as the overarching decision making and guiding body. The Council shapes and approves the ICLEI strategy, has the sole power to amend ICLEI statues, and elects the GexCom portfolio seats.

The ICLEI World Congress, held every three years, showcases how local and regional governments across ICLEI’s global network are advancing sustainable urban development and equitable adaptation to local and regional challenges.

With the theme “Equity and Resilience,” the 2024 Congress included topics on leveraging ICLEI’s strategic pathways for sustainability, understanding the unique role of regions like the Amazonia in global biodiversity and sustainability, and exploring the impact of climate and sustainability at all levels of government, among others.

Get to know the 2024-2027 ICLEI SEA RexCom members, who are also GexCom members, through their profiles here.

The full ICLEI GexCom and ICLEI Council for 2024-2027 can be found here.

(L-R) Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II of the Municipality of Del Carmen, Philippines; Ms. Merlina Panganiban, City Urban Development Officer of Makati City, Philippines and representative of Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay; Vice Mayor Nestor Alvarez of the Science City of Muñoz, Philippines; and Mr. Victorino Aquitania, Regional Director of ICLEI Southeast Asia, during the ICLEI World Congress 2024, June 19-21 in São Paulo City, Brazil.

ICLEI GexCom and RexCom members and representatives gather at the ICLEI World Congress 2024, June 19-21 in São Paulo City, Brazil.

(L-R) Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II of the Municipality of Del Carmen, Philippines; Ms. Merlina Panganiban, City Urban Development Officer of Makati City, Philippines and representative of Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay; and Datuk Rais bin Datuk Wira Yasin, Melaka Senior State Minister of Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change, and Disaster Management.