Suwon Obtains Third Re-certification as 'WHO Age-Friendly City,' First in Gyeonggi Province

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon City has obtained its third re-certification as a 'WHO Age-Friendly City.'

Suwon City has been re-certified as a member of the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) by the WHO (World Health Organization) and will maintain its status as an age-friendly city through 2029.

A WHO age-friendly city is one where aging is not burdensome, a city that is comfortable for anyone to live in regardless of age.

It also refers to a city where elderly citizens can actively participate in society so they can spend their later years energetically and healthily in their community.

Suwon City, which received its initial WHO age-friendly city certification in June 2016 as the third city in Korea, implemented an action plan for three years and received re-certification in 2019 based on an evaluation of the action plan.

Suwon City applied for third re-certification in 2024, and the 'Third-Term Age-Friendly City Management Plan' received favorable evaluation, resulting in re-certification.

Suwon City has become the first city in Gyeonggi Province to receive third re-certification as an age-friendly city.

Suwon City has set 'three major objectives for creating an age-friendly city' as △a comfortable and safe city △a leisurely and vibrant city △a healthy and respected city, and plans to implement 16 projects across six sectors.

The six sectors are △transportation convenience △residential environment safety △utilization of human resources △leisure and social activities △respect and social integration △community care and health.

An official from Suwon City stated, "We will make efforts to create a happy city where not only elderly citizens but all residents are respected without age discrimination."