[April 28, 2025] Seoul City Councilor Heo Hoon Meets Phnom Penh Deputy Mayor... Discusses ODA Exchanges and Cooperation
Follow-up to Seoul-Phnom Penh Urban Planning Cooperation Midterm Review Meeting; Seeks Sustainable Partnership
"Will provide institutional support at the council level for successful master plan development of ODA cooperation projects"
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Councilor Heo Hoon in conversation with Phnom Penh Deputy Mayor
Seoul City Councilor Heo Hoon (People Power Party, Yangcheon 2), a member of the Urban Planning and Balance Committee, met on the 25th with Phnom Penh Deputy Mayor Seng Vannak, who was visiting Korea, at the Seoul City Council Members' Hall. They shared progress on the ongoing urban planning Official Development Assistance (ODA) cooperation project between Seoul and Phnom Penh and discussed ways to expand future exchanges and cooperation.
This meeting followed the 'Seoul ODA Challenge Midterm Review Meeting' held on the 23rd at Seoul City Hall. Attendees included the Phnom Penh Deputy Mayor, officials from Seoul's Global City Policy Office, and the Seoul International Development Cooperation Agency (SUSA). They reviewed the cooperation foundation built between the two cities and explored directions for sustained partnership development.
In March 2024, Seoul launched the 'Seoul ODA Challenge' open call for urban planning international cooperation. In May of the same year, Phnom Penh was selected as the partner city. On-site surveys and baseline analysis began in the second half of the year, with the project direction and scope formalized at the kickoff meeting in January 2025.
The 'Cambodia Phnom Penh Preah Ang Eng Pedestrian-Friendly Street Master Plan Project' benchmarks Seoul's Hongdae Street to redevelop the Preah Ang Eng Street area in central Phnom Penh as a strategic tourism and commercial hub. The concept recreates the street as a "walkable cultural street experiencing Phnom Penh's diverse everyday and extraordinary culture." Seoul supports comprehensive planning including land use plans, pedestrian-friendly spaces, public design guidelines, and urban planning management advisory.
The midterm review meeting on the 23rd shared spatial diagnostics of the Preah Ang Eng area and planning directions based on successful Korean cases. Phnom Penh officials showed strong interest and agreement with strategies reflecting feasibility and local conditions, confirming substantial outcomes.
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Councilor Heo Hoon and Phnom Penh Deputy Mayor
Through this project, Seoul aims beyond technical advice to provide integrated support encompassing strategic urban reconfiguration, commercial competitiveness enhancement, and economic revitalization via tourism. The final report meeting is scheduled for July to confirm the master plan with Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh Deputy Mayor Seng Vannak stated, "Cooperation with Seoul goes beyond mere technology transfer—it's a process of co-designing urban strategies and visions. We look forward to expanding collaboration with Seoul in urban administration, transportation, youth policies, and more fields ahead".
Councilor Heo emphasized, "Korea and Cambodia have strengthened cooperation across politics, economy, and culture since resuming diplomatic relations in 1997, elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership last year. This ODA Challenge project holds great significance as the first practical exchange between our capitals, which had been relatively passive until now."
He continued, "Seoul and Phnom Penh share the commonality of being capitals of our respective countries and have experienced similar urban challenges amid rapid growth. We expect sharing Seoul's experiences in urban planning, housing, and transportation—challenges we overcame first—to provide real help for Phnom Penh's sustainable development."
He added, "The Seoul City Council will closely monitor the implementation and effectiveness of on-site cooperation projects, sparing no institutional support to ensure Seoul City and SUSA's international development cooperation initiatives operate with sustainability and accountability".
Media Outlet: Online News Team (https://go.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20250428500066)
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