Suwon Expands International Sister City Citizens' Exchange Committee to 7 Municipal Divisions

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City has expanded its International Sister City Citizens' Exchange Committee to seven municipal divisions (previously five) to revitalize private-sector exchanges with international sister cities.

The city held a 'Suwon International Sister City Citizens' Exchange Committee New Year Meeting and Inaugural Appointment Ceremony' at the Suwon Convention Center on the 10th.

At the event, the city newly established divisions for Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and Hai Duong (Vietnam) to join the existing five divisions: Asahikawa (Japan), Jinan (China), Freiburg (Germany), Phoenix (United States), and Tours (France).

On this occasion, Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun appointed 26 members from the two new divisions and 3 members from the Phoenix (U.S.) division as new committee members, and awarded commendations to 10 exemplary contributors in the field of international citizen exchange for 2024. With the new appointments, the total number of committee members increased to 16–22 per division (125 members in total).

In December 2023, the city selected five priority cooperation cities from among 20 international sister and friendly cities across 15 countries and organized citizens' exchange committees for each city. Citizens with expertise in fields such as economy, culture, sports, education, and environment were appointed as committee members.

The Citizens' Exchange Committee engages in activities including developing and proposing international sister city exchange projects, coordinating international exchange activities when sister city delegations visit Suwon, and providing public input and consultation on international exchange initiatives. The committee holds regular quarterly meetings and holds additional meetings as needed.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "Thanks to the Citizens' Exchange Committee, we achieved abundant exchanges with our international sister cities last year. Together with the newly established divisions in Hai Duong and Cluj-Napoca, I hope you will continue to contribute your wisdom and strength this year as citizen diplomats for Suwon City."