PHNOM PENH: The Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, Nuon Pharat, has said that the capitals and cities of the 10 ASEAN member states all face the same challenges such as traffic problems, the need for more green cover, impact of natural disasters, and more.

Speaking at a press conference after the ASEAN Mayors Forum on Saturday, 3 December, Deputy Governor Nuon Pharat said that during the one-and-a-half-day meeting between ASEAN Capital and City Governors, the 10 governors raised a number of issues to discuss and shared perspectives, such as traffic issues, green cover expansion issues, natural disaster (especially flooding) threats, and other implementation issues, including providing affordable housing for low-income families.

He said that these were the most important issues that the Capital and City Governments of ASEAN member states felt they had to discuss to so ensure that the capitals and cities of the ASEAN region are attractive and meet people’s needs.

The governors agreed on the plan to develop the capitals and cities of the 10 ASEAN member states into smart cities, and noted that this will require many components and separate budgets to achieve.

The ASEAN Mayors forum is intended for the 10 ASEAN Capital and City Governors to raise and discuss current and potential urban challenges, as well as to share best practices and perspectives for building the ASEAN Community. Cambodia chaired the meeting from 2-3 December 2022, before handing over the chairmanship to the capital city of Jakarta, Indonesia.