LUANG PRABANG, 30 July 2024 – The ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) convened its Seventh Annual Meeting today, where members exchanged experiences in implementing their respective smart city projects. The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss regional efforts to, among others, expanding financing options for smart city projects, strengthening technical support and capacity building for cities, deliberating on the direction for ASEAN’s post-2025 efforts on smart and sustainable cities, and engaging ASEAN’s partners to mobilise resources.
The meeting was hosted by Lao PDR’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport, this year’s ASCN Chair. In his opening remarks at the Opening Ceremony, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR, Ngampasong Muongmany shared that the integration of smart technologies requires substantial investment in infrastructure and capacity building. There is also a need for robust data governance frameworks to ensure data privacy and security. Moreover, public awareness and acceptance of smart solutions are crucial for their successful implementation.
Chairing the meeting, Dr Viengnam Douangphachanh, Director General of Department of Housing and Urban Planning of Lao PDR’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport, conveyed that the demand for creative and sustainable solutions grows as our cities continue to expand. This meeting provides an essential forum for cooperation, information exchange, and group efforts to create a better future for ASEAN Smart Cities Network.
Representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; and the United States’ Department of State attended the meeting to deliberate on advancing cooperation in smart and sustainable urban development.
The meeting will be followed by the ASCN Conference on Smart Solutions for Solving Urban Issues held on 31 July 2024 to discuss lessons, ideas, and innovative solutions on how to advance smart and sustainable urban development, taking into consideration the opportunities and challenges presented by the rapidly urbanising ASEAN.
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