It is estimated that the Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) requires USD 16.93 Billion in investment until 2036, which amounts to approximately USD 941 million per year, to build its sustainable urban infrastructure alone (IMT-GT Sustainable Urban Development Framework 2019-2036 Malaysia: Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT), April 2019). With this in mind, structuring bankable investment-ready projects and mobilising investment for low-emission, climate-resilient and sustainable development at the subnational level is an urgent priority. Bundling of similar projects across geographies is an effective way of attracting financing mechanisms that seek to invest in large-scale projects. CIMT, supported by ICLEI South Asia and Green Growth Asia Foundation, intends to organise a side event on ‘Unlocking finance and investment for implementation of Sustainable Urban Development Framework (SUDF) for Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT)’ during the APUF 7. The Chief Minister of Penang,  appointed as the IMT-GT Green Council Chairman during the 4th IMT-GT Green Council Meeting on 23rd of August 2019, will be invited to officiate this session.

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1. What are the needs and objectives of structuring and bundling subnational-level sustainable urban infrastructure projects?
2. How can investment and finance for sustainable infrastructure development at the subnational level be unlocked?
3. How can we ensure effective cooperation at all levels and among all the relevant actors for implementation of priorities in the SUDF? What are the features that would make the strengthened partnership more effective?