Dr. Bernadia is the first woman Secretary General of UCLG’s regional section. She has been working in urban development and related fields for more than 15 years. Beginning her career at Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and afterward CITYNET in Yokohama, Dr. Bernadia is also a visiting professor at several universities in Japan and has written various papers. In 2015, she was appointed as a member of the Advisory Group on Gender Issues (AGGI) of UNHABITAT. Her interests focus strategic urban planning, climate change, disaster management, water management, women empowerment, and local governance. Dr. Bernadia received her PhD in urban engineering from the University of Tokyo, and two master degrees in Atmospheric Physic from Nagoya University, Japan and in Public Policy from National University of Singapore.

As the Secretary General, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi is the chief executive officer of UCLG Asia-Pacific Section. She directs the daily activities of the Section and carries out the decisions of the Regional General Assembly, the Regional Council and the Executive Bureau. The Secretary General manages the Secretariat’s activities, programs and finances of the Section under the guidance of the Presidency and reports to the Executive Bureau.