Pohang Mayor Lee Gang-deok Participates in Asia-Pacific Cities Summit, Presents Urban Vision for the New Normal Era

Special Edition Meeting of Representatives from 31 Cities in 14 Asia-Pacific Countries Held

Mayor Lee Gang-deok of Pohang is introducing Pohang's urban policies at the 13th Asia-Pacific Urban Summit held in Fukuoka, Japan, on the 26th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang City participated remotely in the ‘13th Asian-Pacific City Summit Special Edition’ held in Fukuoka, Japan, and introduced Pohang’s urban policies and presented future visions under the theme of ‘New Trends in Urban Policies Responding to the New Normal.’

The meeting, held over two days from the 26th to the 27th, was attended by 31 cities from 14 countries, including the host country, Fukuoka, Japan.

On the first day, there were corporate lectures and a UN HABITAT session under the theme of ‘Voluntary Local Reports by Local Governments.’

On the second day, mayors of member cities were divided into four subcommittees to present topics and exchange opinions.

In Subcommittee C, which Pohang City participated in, representatives from seven cities in six countries including Dalian, China; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Fukuoka and Oita City, Japan, shared and discussed various urban policies and visions.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok introduced future new industries that Pohang City is focusing on fostering in response to the new normal era, such as secondary batteries, bio, and hydrogen industries, during the Subcommittee C presentation on the 27th.

He also introduced the Greenway Project, which has received favorable reviews for transforming the urban environment centered on citizens, as well as the smart city construction being promoted in various fields including smart farms and smart aquaculture.

Furthermore, as a cooperation plan among Asian-Pacific cities in the new normal era, he proposed ‘Securing Future New Growth Engines,’ ‘Building Cross-border New Industry Platforms,’ and ‘Digital Exchange among Asian-Pacific Regions,’ expressing hope that the Asian-Pacific City Summit will become an opportunity to provide solutions to member cities struggling due to COVID-19.

The Asian-Pacific City Summit was established in 1994 in Fukuoka City, Japan, to promote mutual understanding and cooperation among cities through urban linkage and network building in the Asia-Pacific region.

The summit is held every two years, and Pohang City joined as a member city at the 8th meeting held in Dalian, China, in 2008.

The 10th meeting was held in 2012, and currently, 32 cities from 15 countries are members.