Suwon Launches Officials Council of International Sister City Citizen Exchange Committees

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City held a launch ceremony for the "Officials Council of International Sister City Citizen Exchange Committees" at the Suwon Convention Center on the 26th.

The officials council serves as an official consultation channel among officials of citizen exchange committees from seven international sister cities: Asahikawa, Japan; Jinan, China; Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Hai Duong, Vietnam; Freiburg, Germany; Phoenix, United States; and Tours, France.

The officials council will operate as a consultation body leading Suwon's private diplomacy through close communication between committees, including joint planning of cultural events with sister cities, development of citizen participation programs, and policy proposals and advisory services.

Approximately 20 attendees, including Suwon City officials and citizen exchange committee members, participated in the launch ceremony and shared the purpose and operational plans of the officials council.

Meanwhile, the city has designated priority cooperative cities (seven) among 20 international sister and friendship cities in 15 countries, and has established citizen exchange committees for each city. Citizens with expertise in fields such as economics, culture, sports, education, and environment are being appointed as committee members.

A city official stated, "The launch of this officials council is intended to consolidate individual exchange activities previously pursued by each citizen exchange committee into a unified effort to generate synergy," and added, "We will establish a sustainable international exchange model centered on citizens."