Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 2 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, also the rotating chair of ASEAN in 2022, was pleased to see a significant progress of cooperation in building and connecting major cities within ASEAN region.

The premier spoke at ASEAN Mayors Forum and the Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals 2022, held on Friday at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence.

“I am also pleased to see a significant progress of cooperation in building and connecting major cities within our ASEAN region. For instance, the AMF and MGMAC, that have been regularly organized, are fundamental mechanisms that allow ASEAN local governments to enhance relations, promote wider cooperation, particularly to share knowledge and experiences, and continue to strengthens solidarity and harmony among ASEAN cities and capitals,” the premier underscored.

"I would like to express his appreciation for setting the most suitable themes in line with regional and global situations in the presence and future. As a matter of fact, cities are the hearts of countries and regions, a place for all kinds of activities: socio-economics culture and politics. In this sense, the socio-economic development and the building of a strong, sustainable and inclusive community must begin with the building and connecting of smart, resilient and sustainable cities," the premier continued.

Cambodia successfully hosted the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in November here at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence with 101 outcome documents being adopted and noted. Particularly, ASEAN Leaders acknowledged the progress of the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, and has set a future direction for strengthening ASEAN connectivity post 2025 through the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on ASEAN Connectivity Post-2025 Agenda.

ASEAN Leaders also welcomed the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Forum Report, which will strengthen the knowledge on trends in sustainable urbanization across the ASEAN region, and link the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy to the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.

In this regard, Samdech hoped that the second discussion of this afternoon will provide good opportunities for all stakeholders to discuss on challenges and opportunities of sustainable urbanization within the ASEAN region.

In the context that ASEAN and the world have been facing a series of challenges, building smart and green cities with the use of digital technology is the most accurate direction for the presence and future.

Smart cities have great potentials in addressing common issues of urban planning in an innovative way, strengthening resilience to various risks, and especially improving the well-being and prosperity of the livelihoods of local people in a new normal. Furthermore, smart cities will become major poles for promoting stronger socio-economic, business, trade and investment activities, as well as providing job and business opportunities to the general population in countries and the entire ASEAN region.
=FRESH NEWS