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ICLEI is an international network of local governments for sustainability,
as well as the international environment agency for local governments. It was
established in 1990 at the UN-hosted World Congress of Local Governments for a
Sustainable Future, where the ICLEI Charter, advocated by local governments and
international organizations such as UNEP and IULA, was adopted.
ICLEI’s mission is to build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments
to achieve tangible improvements in global sustainability with special focus on
environmental conditions through cumulative local actions. ICLEI maintains memorandums
of understanding with the UN-HABITAT and the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP).
ICLEI has implemented various campaigns and projects such as the Local Agenda
21 (LA21) Campaign, Cities for Climate Protection TM Campaign, Water Campaign,
the ecoBUDGET® project, and the Eco-Procurement Programme, while organizing
international conferences, conducting research, and providing information and
consultation. Through its campaigns, ICLEI helps local governments generate political
awareness of key issues, build capacity through technical assistance and training,
and evaluate local and cumulative progress toward sustainable development.
⇒ICLEI official website
More than 475 cities, towns, and counties, and their associations worldwide
comprise ICLEI's membership. In Japan, 21 local governments have joined
ICLEI as of April 2006. The Members of the Council establish the priorities
and direction for ICLEI through the adoption of the Strategic Plan. Other
organizations, such as state and national government agencies, non-profit
and non-governmental organizations also participate in ICLEI as non-voting
Associate Members.
Sendai City joined ICLEI in 1996 and has acted as a member of the nine-city
advisory committee of the ICLEI Japan Office from April 2000. When ICLEI
Japan Office established as a corporation in 2004, Sendai became one of
the Executive Committee members.
The history of the relationship between ICLEI and Sendai City is as follows:
| 2001 |
The ICLEI Japan Office conducts
a Local Agenda 21 research project. Sendai’s environmental management system,
which is centered around an environmental initiative action plan, is awarded a
“best practice,” along with six other cities. |
| May 2001 |
Sendai City participates in the
“Mayors’ Asia-Pacific Environmental Summit,” held in Honolulu. |
| November 2001 |
Sendai City hosts the World Environmental
Conference, including the International Symposium for Local Government Officials,
with assistance from ICLEI.
The ICLEI Chair and Deputy Secretary General visits Sendai on this occasion. |
| November 2001 |
Sendai City responds to ICLEI’s
invitation and participates in the World Summit on Sustainable Development Asia-Pacific
Regional Preparatory Meeting, held in Phnom Phen. The meeting was the first Asia-Pacific
regional preparatory meeting for the Johannesburg Summit. |
| August 2002 |
A delegation from Sendai participates
in the Local Government Session of the Johannesburg Summit and delivers a presentation
at a roundtable discussion. |
| October 2002 |
Sendai participates and delivers
a presentation in the International Urban Environmental Conference, co-hosted
by Kumamoto City and ICLEI. |
| August 2003 |
The Mayor of Sendai announces
his candidacy for the ICLEI Executive Committee election and is successfully elected. |
| October 2003 |
Sendai participates and delivers
a presentation in the World Partnership Conference on Sustainable Development,
co-hosted by Kitakyushu City and ICLEI. |
| November 2003 |
A delegation from Sendai participates in the ICLEI World Congress held
in Athens. |
| March 2004 |
Sendai City participates in the
ICLEI Executive Committee Meeting held in Seoul. |
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