Kuwait smart city partnership thrives despite COVID-19 delays, says Korean ambassador

• H.E. Chong-Suk Park, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kuwait, stated that smart technologies are essential for providing communities with tools to tackle urban challenges in the 21st century, including sustainable infrastructure, energy efficiency, and data-driven city management.

H.E. Chong-Suk Park, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kuwait, emphasized the significance of collaboration between the two countries in adopting smart city technologies to enhance convenience, effectiveness, and safety for residents, according to Al Rai newspaper.

Ambassador Chong-Suk Park, in his opening speech at the seventh Smart Cities Forum organized by his country’s Embassy in Kuwait, emphasized that the vision of participants from both countries is crucial for the forum’s success and for the continued cooperation in developing smart cities.

He noted that throughout human history, people have gathered in cities and communities, facing countless challenges and transforming them into opportunities through creativity, flexibility, and innovation. He pointed out that as societies become increasingly interdependent and complex, challenges have emerged at an unprecedented pace, particularly in urban areas, necessitating new and innovative solutions.

The ambassador explained that smart technologies play a pivotal role by providing communities with new tools and methods to address pressing urban issues in the 21st century, whether in building sustainable infrastructure, enhancing energy efficiency, or harnessing data-driven city management.

He stressed that adopting these innovations allows us to transform cities into spaces that are more suitable for living, efficient, and flexible for future generations. He pointed out that Kuwait has taken bold and decisive steps in this direction through the ambitious Vision 2035 initiative, aimed at positioning the country as a leader in smart and sustainable urban development.

Ambassador Chong-Suk Park highlighted that one of the bright examples of Kuwait’s leadership in this area is its commitment to the South of Saad Al-Abdullah Smart City project, a significant landmark in Kuwait’s journey towards becoming a center for urban transformation.

He noted that the partnership between the two countries in smart city development began in 2016 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding that laid the foundation for joint efforts in this exciting field. He emphasized that despite the challenges and delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, significant progress has been made in recent years.

He also pointed out that the Korea Land and Housing Company has played an active role in formulating the master plan for the South Saad Al-Abdullah Smart City and continues to oversee the project. He affirmed their readiness to keep developing smart solutions for the city and ensure it remains at the forefront of civilizational innovation.

He described the exchange of today’s renewed memorandum of understanding between the Korea Land and Housing Company and the Public Organization for Housing Welfare as an important new chapter in their cooperation.