Signing of Letter of Intent between UNU-CRIS and Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA)

On Friday, 12 September 2025, during the Kerala Urban Conclave (KUC), Director Philippe De Lombaerde signed a letter of intent between UNU-CRIS and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA). 

The Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 is an important urban development conference organized by the Local Self Government Department (LSGD), Government of Kerala. It took place on September 12-13, 2025, at The Grand Hyatt, Kochi. This Conclave brought together a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, urban planners, researchers, elected representatives, international experts, and civil society leaders.

The main focus of this event was to shape the future of sustainable urban development in Kerala during a time of rapid urbanization in the state. The Conclave provided a platform to discuss the recommendations from the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, which was formed in December 2023 and submitted its final report in March 2025.

During this event M.B. Rajesh, the Minister of Local Self Governments of Kerala, and UNU-CRIS Director Philippe De Lombaerde briefly exchanged views on how to work together in the near future in areas such as localizing the SDGs, and participatory and multi-level governance.

For further information about the Kerala Urban Conclave, please click here, and KILA here.