Mayor Donghwan Lee Discusses Sustainable City Cooperation with ICLEI Global President

Goyang City Explores Joint Climate Action Cooperation
Mayor of Malmo, Sweden, and ICLEI Secretary-General
Emphasize Pivotal Role of Local Governments
UCLG ASPAC General Assembly to Be Held in October

On the 14th, Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, commemorated his participation in the World Local Governments Climate Summit held at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2 by discussing sustainable urban transformation and climate action cooperation measures with Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, ICLEI World President and Mayor of Malm?, Sweden, and Gino Van Begin, Secretary-General of ICLEI World Secretariat.

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City (center), is taking a commemorative photo after a meeting with Gino Van Begin, Secretary General of ICLEI (left), and Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malm? (ICLEI Chair), at the World Local Government Climate Summit held on the 14th at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2. Provided by Goyang Special City

This institutional meeting was arranged to strengthen policy exchanges between Goyang City, international organizations, and advanced cities on the occasion of the opening of the World Local Governments Climate Summit. They shared policies promoted by Goyang City such as the 'Hub-type Smart City Construction' and 'Circular Economy City' and explored mutual cooperation plans.

Malm?, Sweden, is recognized as a leading eco-friendly city in Europe and is cited as a successful example of transitioning from an industrial city to a sustainable city. Goyang City has drawn great inspiration from Malm?’s Western Harbour project and is currently developing some areas within the 3rd phase new town as carbon-neutral pilot zones. Additionally, since being selected as a smart city hub by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Goyang has been continuously strengthening digital-based disaster response, transportation, and energy systems.

Mayor Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh emphasized "People-centered sustainable development," stating, "Regions and the world must move forward together toward sustainability."

Gino Van Begin, Secretary-General of ICLEI World, also stated, "Sustainability is slow to change but can definitely be realized," and emphasized that "local governments must stand at the center of solving the climate crisis." He further highlighted that local governments are the main actors in climate action and the key axis of regional-national-global cooperation, expressing support for Goyang City’s policy initiatives.

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, said, "The climate crisis is a common challenge that no city can solve alone," adding, "We look forward to cooperation in various fields such as renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and biodiversity with Malm? and ICLEI through this meeting."

Meanwhile, Goyang City plans to host the 10th General Assembly of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific Section (UCLG ASPAC) this coming October. During the meeting, they also requested active interest and participation from the ICLEI World Secretariat and Malm? City.