Breakfast Meeting at the Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin, China (June 28, 2023)
I am deeply honored to have the chance to showcase Incheon,
a city that has transformed into a world-class smart city,
and to receive this opportunity, which holds great personal significance for me.
Incheon has been meticulously prepared for its transformation into a smart city,
starting from the planning stages.
We initially concentrated on the creation of a new city through strategic planning,
and in the course of developing international districts like Songdo, Cheongna, and Yeongjong,
we have established a solid foundation for a comprehensive smart city.
Recognized as Asia’s first resilience hub city
As an example, Incheon has evolved into a city
with robust information and communication infrastructure,
extensive utilization of big data, and a wide array of cutting-edge features.
Consequently, we earned the distinction of becoming Asia's first Resilience Hub City,
certified by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
At the forefront of our agenda is the creation of a city that can withstand natural disasters,
a critical endeavor given the existential threat posed by climate change.
Incheon is taking proactive steps to address these urgent challenges,
as the world confronts the growing risks linked to climate change-induced natural disasters.
Notably, Incheon has made a firm commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045
and is directing substantial financial resources toward combating climate change,
which is a global challenge of immense significance.
Significantly, to safeguard the lives and assets of our citizens from disasters and safety incidents,
we have implemented a comprehensive social safety net system
that seamlessly integrates the information and communication systems
with the city's administrative infrastructure, as well as the police and fire departments.
This fundamental urban strategy has been the driving catalyst
behind Incheon's transformation into a world-class smart city.
What forms the strategic foundation for smart city development?
What forms the strategic basis for the development of a smart city?
To begin with, as previously mentioned,
it necessitates comprehensive planning, preparation, and strategic execution.
Additionally, there is a need to revamp existing systems and legislation
while establishing a collaborative framework to achieve this collectively.
Incheon is actively enhancing and fostering communication,
not only within the city but also with experts, academia, and its residents.
Utilizing platforms such as diverse policy advisory committees and open communication spaces,
we are seeking the input and consent of the citizens in collaboratively developing a smart city strategy.
This experience may offer valuable insights for other cities as well.
Building a consensus among citizens is crucial
A development strategy that does not engage with citizens
and lacks the consent of the residents is challenging to execute successfully.
We have established the groundwork for our smart city transformation
by maintaining open and effective communication with our residents.
Specifically, I want to underscore the significance of governance systems and communication.
When striving to establish a secure environment for citizens,
a certain degree of inconvenience is inevitably part of the equation.
Incheon has deployed a substantial number of CCTV cameras.
While this expansion may impose some constraints on individual privacy,
it is imperative for citizens to come to a consensus on accepting this inconvenience
in order to fortify a more significant social safety network.
Furthermore, corporate collaboration is a critical component
in the journey towards achieving a smart city.
However, it is not feasible to unilaterally compel companies to cooperate.
In the end, we must advocate for policies that raise awareness,
highlighting the fact that addressing climate change
and transitioning to a new smart city can also yield benefits for businesses.
The determination of local governments to formulate policies
and the leadership of the group leaders are crucial.
Policies that consider the creation of corporate profits and incentives
Incheon is evolving into a hub for high-tech industries geared towards future growth.
We must provide robust incentives for sectors
such as bio, hydrogen batteries, wind power, and new and renewable energy,
as they seek to pioneer new avenues for growth,
all while making it clear that these efforts will also benefit businesses.
In essence, our policies must embody the fundamental principle
that collaboration can thrive only when profits are generated.
In summary, the determination of local governments in shaping policies
and the leadership of organizational heads are of utmost importance.
Furthermore, it is essential to establish a collaborative governance system
and enhance communication to foster an environment conducive to these goals.
Thank you.
