ASEAN bolsters development of smart, sustainable cities
The Sixth Annual Meeting of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) opened in Bali, Indonesia, on July 12 with the participation of representatives of national and local governments across the region.
The Sixth Annual Meeting of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) opens in Bali, Indonesia, July 12. (Photo: asean.org)
Jakarta (VNA) - The Sixth Annual Meeting of the ASEANSmart Cities Network (ASCN) opened in Bali, Indonesia, on July 12 with the participation ofrepresentatives of national and local governments across the region.
Representativesfrom Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Japan’s Ministry of Land,Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Land,Infrastructure, and Transport; and the Seoul National University attended themeeting to exchange views on how to enhance existing cooperation and catalysenew partnerships.
Opening the event, Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian mentionedthat the governments need to continue pushing the implementation of SmartCities by building a strong foundation to face the urbanisation challenges, and capacity to adapt to the industrialrevolution.
In his pre-recorded speech, Secretary-General of ASEANDr Kao Kim Hourn commended Indonesia’s unwavering commitment to the developmentof smart and sustainable cities in the region.
Hehighlighted three key points to further ASEAN’s efforts in promoting smart andsustainable cities, namely sharing knowledge and learnings within and betweencities and with national governments, strengthening cooperation inevidence-based city planning and management to realise a more liveable urbanenvironment in ASEAN, and promoting more public-private-people partnerships toseize smart city opportunities.
Dr. Safrizal ZA, DirectorGeneral of Regional Administration of Indonesia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, held that collaboration in the ASEAN Smart Cities Network can address thepressing challenges faced by cities and explore innovative solutions tofoster sustainable urban development.
At the two-day meetings, participants have discussed the implementation of ASCN smartcity projects, development of ASEAN smart city investment toolkit, andexpansion of ASCN membership./.
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