In order to strengthen the city-to-city cooperation for sustainable development, as one of the main CityNet mandates, CityNet Secretary General Vijay Jagannathan invited Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) – represented by the President Lee Mi-kyung – to support local level partnership coalition, in a meeting held on 21 February 2019 in Seoul.

The KOICA President Lee Mi-kyung expressed her appreciation towards cities across the globe for their great efforts in SDG implementation. She also emphasised how crucial it is to cooperate with cities to effectively working on SDG.

In 2013, CityNet and KOICA signed a MoU to explore opportunities for cooperation and collaboration on respective activities particularly to foster local level partnership in sustainable, innovative and resilient urban development. During the meeting CityNet and KOICA exchanged ideas on how the two institutions could further collaborate especially on gender equality and establishing good governance across the Asia Pacific region.

This meeting is part of the programs scheduled for the SG Vijay Jagannathan’s visit to Seoul to further enhance the partnership opportunities for CityNet with various domestic and international organisations.

During his visit, SG Jagannathan also had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor of Seodaemun District Seok-jin Mun. He invited the CityNet SG to see one of the district’s innovation in market revitalisation that provides cultural space for its residents – Boxquare.