Gwangju Buk-gu, WHO 'Age-friendly City' Certification

Gwangju Metropolitan City Buk-gu has been recognized as an age-friendly city by the World Health Organization (WHO), joining the ranks of the ‘three major friendly cities’ for women, children, and the elderly.

The district announced on the 17th that it has successfully obtained certification for joining the ‘WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities’.

The Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities is a worldwide project initiated by the WHO since 2006, aimed at encouraging communities to positively embrace aging in line with the global aging trend and to support a vibrant life in old age together.

To obtain certification for joining the international network, all criteria set by the WHO in eight areas?external environment, transportation convenience, housing stability, leisure, employment, social respect, communication, and community support?must be met, and the certification is valid for three years.

In preparation for the upcoming super-aged society, the district formed an Age-friendly City Promotion Committee last year, conducted related surveys and research projects on creating an age-friendly city, and based on these, established a three-year implementation plan for an age-friendly city.

Subsequently, in November last year, the district submitted an application to the WHO for joining the international network, and as a result of the review, it was recognized for meeting the criteria in all eight areas as well as for the community’s will and efforts to address the challenges of a super-aged society, earning the status of a member city of the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities until 2025.

Among local governments nationwide, it became the 27th city to be named in the three major friendly cities: ‘Women-friendly City’ certified by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, ‘Child-friendly City’ certified by UNICEF, and ‘Age-friendly City’ certified by the WHO.

Based on this certification, the district has set four major goals for this year: a pleasant and safe urban environment, a happy community together, a healthy society where vibrant lives are led, and active social participation centered on residents.

It plans to promote various strategic projects across the eight age-friendly areas to create ‘Buk-gu, an age-friendly city where the lives of the elderly are happier.’