Surabaya Mayor Discusses Sustainable Development in North Korea

Surabaya, E Java (Antaranews Jatim) - Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini is visiting Pyongsong City, North Korea, to discuss sustainable development issues with city administrations that are members of the United Cities Local Governments (UCLG).

Head of Public Relations of the Surabaya City Administration, M Fikser, stated here on Wednesday that Rismaharini`s visit to North Korea this time was her first assignment after being officially elected as President of UCLG in September 2018.

"The purpose of the mayor`s visit is to foster peace and promote local dialogue," he noted.

In addition, the visit will also discuss technical cooperation between the city administrations and local authorities from North Korea, UCLG, and members of UCLG ASPAC (Asia Pacific).

Rismaharini`s visit to North Korea began from Nov 26 and will continue till Dec 1, 2018. Her first agenda during the visit is to meet with Deputy President of Supreme People`s Assembly, Kim Yong Nam.

"After that Rismaharini will do a city tour in Pyongyang City," Fikser remarked, adding that Rismaharini will also meet Pyongsong Mayor, South Phyongan Province, and continue a city tour in Phyosong.

"In the afternoon, the Surabaya Mayor will attend a presentation on the development projects of Wonsan City and the Kalma coastal tourist site," he explained.

On Nov 30 in the morning, Rismaharini will again have a meeting with Kaesong Mayor, North Hwanghae Province. "In the afternoon, she will visit a historic site in Kaesong City," Fikser revealed.

According to Fikser, while in North Korea, Rismaharini will conduct many discussions on activities proposed by North Korea.

The activities are to conduct a fact-finding in order to identify potential areas and channels of cooperation between city administrations and local authorities in North Korea and other members of UCLG and UCLG ASPAC.

The main activity at the meeting is to discuss some issues on sustainable urban planning to ensure the availability of decent housing and basic services; the availability of safe and easily accessible public transportation system; and the development of the local economy.

Other topics which will be also discussed are social protection; environmental and cultural management of urban areas; development of suburbs and villages while preserving cultural and natural heritages; and reducing the adverse effects of the urban environment.

After visiting North Korea, Rismaharini will continue her trip to Guangzhou City, China, to attend the Guangzhou Award from Dec 5 to 8, 2018.

Fikser pointed out that in the final of the 2018 Guangzhou Awards, the Surabaya City Administration would explain a public participation program in waste management in Surabaya.

"The presentation on Surabaya`s waste management will be on Thursday (Dec 6), and the winner will be announced the next day (Dec 7)," he stated.

Surabaya will be competing with 14 cities to get Guangzhou awards, including Santa Fe (Argentina), Sydney (Australia), Salvador (Brazil), Repentigny (Canada), Wuhan (China), Yiwu (China), Santa Ana (Costa Rica) , Milan (Italy), Guadalajara (Mexico), Utrecht (Netherlands), Kazan (Russia), e-Thekwini (South Africa), Mezitli (Turkey), and New York (United States). (*)