Goyang-si, Successfully Concludes the 5th World Urban Forum

Mayor Donghwan Lee: "We Will Play a Leading Role in Urban Development Through the World Cities Forum"
Reaffirming the Need for Solidarity and Cooperation Among Cities for Sustainable Urban Development
Presentations and Discussions on Future Technologies and Environmental Issues... Covering AI and Carbon Neutrality

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, is speaking at the special session "Solidarity and Cooperation for Sustainable Cities" of the 5th World Cities Forum 2024 held on the 22nd.

Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) announced on the 25th that the "5th World Cities Forum 2024," held at the Grand Ballroom of Ilsan KINTEX on the 22nd, concluded successfully.

This forum brought together experts from various fields in 10 countries including the United States, Brazil, Sweden, Spain, and Singapore to gather diverse perspectives and opinions on international solidarity and cooperation for sustainable urban development.

At the opening ceremony held on the 22nd, congratulatory messages were delivered by former Vice Minister of Environment Yoo Je-cheol, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific Section (UCLG ASPAC), and Jordi Vaquer, Secretary-General of Metropolis.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City stated, “As complex issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and resource depletion threaten our future, world cities must take a leading role in addressing these challenges, which can be resolved through solidarity and innovation among cities.”

Following this, the vision declaration ceremony presented Goyang’s five major visions for sustainable cities.

Mayor Lee Dong-hwan emphasized, “We will enhance citizens’ quality of life and design a sustainable urban future through the realization of smart cities, early achievement of carbon-neutral cities, self-sufficient cities, participatory cities, and strengthened international cooperation.”

In a special session, discussions were held with Gino Van Begin, Secretary-General of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI); Karl-Olof Andersson, Ambassador-designate of Sweden to Korea; and Ganbold Baasanjav, Director of the Northeast Asia Office of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), on global solidarity and cooperation between cities and regions, as well as conditions for sustainable self-sufficient cities.

In the afternoon, keynote presentations and panel discussions on future technologies and environmental fields took place, introducing the impact of artificial intelligence on society, applications of future technologies using AI, carbon-neutral promotion strategies for sustainable cities, and excellent domestic and international policy cases.

Additionally, a seminar on “Sustainable Resource Circulation Solutions in Cities,” co-hosted by the Korea Low Impact Development Association and Goyang Research Institute, and a university project presentation involving Dongguk University, Korea Aerospace University, and Joongbu University were held simultaneously as sub-sessions.

For event attendees, various exhibition and experience booths were operated, including AI-generated face recognition music performances, AI psychological analysis, AI-generated character photos, and a climate tech exhibition hall where visitors could experience low-carbon lifestyle practices, adding richness to the event.

Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City expressed his closing remarks, saying, “I hope the World Cities Forum will grow into a global policy platform where cities share various challenges they face and seek practical solutions. Through this, Goyang Special City will be able to play a leading role in solving urban problems and pursue sustainable urban development.”