Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 2 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen said that the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), established in 2018, has been making significant contributions to realizing the ASEAN Vision 2025, MPAC 2025 and Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III and the commitment to realize the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the New Urban Agenda.

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.

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

“In addition, the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), established in 2018, has been making significant contributions to realizing the ASEAN Vision 2025, MPAC 2025 and Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III and the commitment to realize the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the New Urban Agenda,” the premier underscored.

“This ASCN framework has promoted the implementation of the Smart City Action Plans (SCAPS) and facilitated the development of information technology platforms and investment tools for ASEAN smart cities, through exchanging knowledge and experiences, strengthening partnerships and bridging resource gap,” the premier continued.

In this spirit, as the chair of ASEAN in 2022, Samdech highly appreciate and welcome the expansion of membership to three additional cities of each ASEAN member from 2022 to 2025.

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