April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] The World Green Economy Organization on May 23 launched the Smart and Sustainable Cities Platform, a global forum for city developers to discuss diverse urbanization issues and emissions-free solutions.

The launch event held at a Seoul hotel was attended by Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, board member of the WGEO; Frank Rijsberman, director general of Global Green Growth Institute; Cho Dae-yeon, executive director of Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement; and UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdullah Saif Ali Saleem Al-Nuaimi. 

(From left) UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdullah Saif Ali Saleem Al-Nuaimi; Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, board member of the WGEO; Frank Rijsberman, director general of Global Green Growth Institute; and Cho Dae-yeon, executive director of Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement

The Dubai-based WGEO was launched in October last year by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, with aims to offer consultations and technical, financial and moral support in the field of green economy around the world.

The organization plans to launch seven platforms -- countries, smart and sustainable cities sector, private sector, academic sector, organizations and civil society sector, youth sector and financial sector.

Seoul has been picked as the venue for the cities sector considering its growth toward sustainability and its leading role in promoting green economy, the organization said.

“The smart city platform will be a treasure trove of robust collection of city profiles, case studies, model policies and communication tools that will provide engaged stakeholders with a set of resources to guide and catalyze action for a green economy,” the WGEO said.

“The platform will also help design future scenarios and innovations for products, services and business models, for companies and sectors.”

Based on the platform, the organization said it will facilitate projects to analyze, monitor and optimize urban systems to efficiently use energy and water, build social and economic cohesion and governance, and get people to become more involved in their smart cities.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)