Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Councils of ten Southeast Asian nations’ cities have pledged their cooperation in regional sustainable development during the first-ever ASEAN City Council Meeting in Bangkok. 

The meeting, officiated by Bangkok City Council Chairman Pol. Sub. Lt. Kriengsak Lohachala, provided an opportunity for ASEAN city councils to talk about challenges to metropolitan development in their respective contexts, and deliberate on the Bangkok Statement, which is aimed at enhancing cooperation and exchanges in different areas to promote sustainable regional growth. 

The participants also discussed ways to strengthen ASEAN city councils’ legislative ability to foster four areas of the economy between ASEAN capital cities, namely small and medium enterprises (SMEs), technology-based tourism, transport connectivity and management of pollution problems. 

The ASEAN city councils also agreed to raise public awareness and encourage all sectors to participate in the urban improvement of their countries to build regional well-being.-VNA