Kim Dong-yeon Meets Riyadh Mayor, Expects "Stronger Enhanced Relations"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (left) is taking a commemorative photo with Faisal bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, at Dodamso in Suwon on the 11th.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Faisal bin Ayyaf, the mayor of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to pave the way for cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Riyadh City.

On the 11th, Governor Kim Dong-yeon exchanged views with Faisal bin Ayyaf, mayor of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at Dodamso (the former Gyeonggi Province Governor's official residence) on cooperation between the two regions regarding climate crisis, public transportation management, and urban planning.

Governor Kim explained in detail the ‘Vision 2030’ plan, which he led as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs during the participatory government, as well as Gyeonggi Province’s climate policies to the Riyadh mayor.

Governor Kim said, "As one of the main architects of South Korea’s ‘Vision 2030’ made 20 years ago, I was very pleased to hear about ‘Saudi Vision 2030.’ I hope it will be successfully implemented." He added, "Gyeonggi Province is the center of all industries and the economy in South Korea and has everything necessary for the urban development Riyadh desires. I look forward to the relationship between Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, and Gyeonggi Province being further strengthened."

He continued, "Suwon City, which you visited today, is the capital of Gyeonggi Province and the first planned city on the Korean Peninsula, built 230 years ago. Even now, it was constructed with architectural technology and academic knowledge that are difficult to comprehend. I respectfully ask you to take the time to visit again. When you come next time, I hope you can spend at least a day touring Suwon City," he encouraged.

Faisal bin Ayyaf, mayor of Riyadh, said, "Saudi Arabia and Riyadh have very positive feelings toward Korea. Without Korea’s cooperation in the 1970s and 1980s, it would have been difficult to complete a city like the one we have now." He added, "Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategy to build a stronger nation, and I think there are many similarities between the stories of Saudi Arabia and Korea. I believe it is important to maintain relations with the Korean government and local governments, and I hope cooperation will continue going forward," expressing his agreement.

Saudi Arabia is promoting the ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ project to reduce dependence on oil, open its economy, and foster soft power.

As part of this, Riyadh City, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is carrying out the ‘Riyadh 2030 Project’ to make Riyadh one of the world’s top 10 cities, and is advancing the New Murabba Project, which uses eco-friendly advanced technology to create a complex hub for housing, transportation, and the arts.

This meeting was arranged at the request of Riyadh City.

Meanwhile, Mayor Faisal requested Gyeonggi Province and Korea’s interest, mentioning that Riyadh will host the 2030 World Expo.