[May 12, 2024] Seoul ODA Challenge draws requests from 95 cities in developing countries; Lima, Phnom Penh, and Colombo selected
The first Seoul ODA Challenge has been launched to help solve urban issues in developing countries.
Seoul announced on the 12th that 95 cities from 31 developing countries around the world applied to the Seoul ODA Challenge, a program through which the city provides Official Development Assistance (ODA). A total of 35 cities from 3 Latin American countries, 28 cities from 10 Asia-Pacific countries, 15 cities from 8 African countries, 9 cities from 6 Middle Eastern and Southwest Asian countries, and 8 cities from 4 Eastern European and CIS countries submitted applications.
Applications came not only from nearby Asian regions, but also from a wide range of cities including megacities with populations of over 10 million, as well as capitals of Latin American, African, and Pacific island nations and smaller cities.
The Seoul ODA Challenge is designed to support developing-country cities facing issues similar to those Seoul has experienced, drawing on the city’s track record in rapid urban development and urban management policies. It is the first time in Korea that a local government has offered ODA to local governments in developing countries through an open call.
Seoul has shared its best practices with overseas cities and has participated in ODA projects led by domestic and international aid agencies through the Seoul International Development Cooperation Agency (SUSA).
The city explained that, despite this being the first year of the program, 95 cities applied from across the globe because of strong interest in Seoul’s urban development experience and best practices as the capital that symbolizes the “Miracle on the Han River,” as well as in its international development cooperation projects.
As a result of the selection process for priority negotiation targets, three cities were chosen at a competition rate of 32 to 1: Lima in Peru (transportation sector), Phnom Penh in Cambodia (urban planning sector), and Colombo in Sri Lanka (environment sector).
From all proposals, 18 projects were first shortlisted based on the completeness of the applications and the potential contribution of Seoul’s policies. A selection committee made up of experts from domestic and international ODA agencies such as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Export–Import Bank of Korea, and the World Bank, along with international development cooperation specialists, then finalized the cities selected for priority negotiations.
Phnom Penh in Cambodia requested support for establishing a master plan to develop a tourism and commercial core district similar to Seoul’s Hongdae area. Lima in Peru requested policy consulting on traffic signal and enforcement systems in order to learn from Seoul’s integrated transportation system. Colombo in Sri Lanka asked for assistance with a preliminary feasibility study for a waste-to-energy facility, seeking to learn from the development of Seoul’s Nanjido and its resource recovery facilities.
Seoul plans to conduct preliminary consultations and on-site surveys with the three cities, then select domestic firms as implementing agencies and launch concrete projects. To this end, the city will strengthen cooperation with domestic ODA agencies, multilateral development banks, and international organizations to identify and link follow-up international development cooperation projects.
Lee Hae-woo, Director-General of Seoul’s Economic Policy Office, said that the Seoul ODA Challenge is an important initiative for Seoul to fulfill its responsibilities to the international community as it aims to become one of the world’s top five global cities. He added that it will be an opportunity to improve the quality of life for local citizens, support sustainable development, and lay the groundwork for Korean companies to enter promising developing-country markets.
Media Outlet: Newsis (https://www.newsis.com/view/?id=NISX20240510000273)
Reporter: Park Dae-ro
