Tuesday, 16 June 2026
BANDA ACEH | INDATANEWS.COM ~ Medan Mayor, Rico Waas, has emphasized the urgent need for stronger collaboration among Indonesian cities, highlighting that local governments must work closely to address mounting challenges ranging from fiscal resilience to disaster preparedness.
He delivered the statement during the opening of the Regional Commission I Working Conference of the Association of Indonesian Municipalities (APEKSI), held in Banda Aceh on Monday, April 20, 2026.Banda Aceh Highlighted as a Model of Resilience
Read Also:Rico Waas praised Banda Aceh as the host city, noting its profound historical significance and transformation following major disasters. He described the city not merely as a venue, but as a powerful symbol of resilience and recovery.
"This city stands as proof of the strength of its people. Despite severe disasters, it has fully recovered. That spirit is what we must bring into this APEKSI working conference," he said.
He added that Banda Aceh's experience offers valuable lessons for other regions in strengthening long-term resilience and recovery strategies.City Cooperation as a Driver of Regional Growth
Read Also:Rico Waas stressed that APEKSI should function beyond a formal institutional framework, and instead serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and mutual learning among cities.
He noted that every city possesses unique strengths that can be shared for collective benefit. "We should not assume that our fiscal capacity is the strongest. Instead, we must collaborate, learn from each other, and benefit from the experience of more established cities," he stated.
Fiscal Strength, Disaster Preparedness, and Digital TransformationUnder the theme of strong fiscal governance, Rico Waas outlined four key priorities for future municipal development.
Read Also:First, he emphasized the importance of ensuring regional financial sustainability not only in the short term, but also over the next two to three years.
Second, he called for the development of standardized disaster response procedures to ensure fast and effective action during emergencies.
Third, he highlighted the importance of stronger coordination between cities and central government institutions, particularly during crises.Fourth, he underscored the need for digital transformation in public services to improve efficiency, speed, and accessibility for citizens.
Read Also:The opening ceremony was attended by Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Aceh Deputy Governor H. Fadhlullah, representatives of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), members of APEKSI Commission I, and other senior government officials. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
