WeGO Secretary General Strengthens Ties with U.S. Cities During Business Trip to Hawaii
USA, February 10, 2025 — In a bid to expand the global reach of the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) and foster new partnerships in the United States, WeGO Secretary General Mr. Jeong-kee Kim conducted a series of high-profile meetings in Hawaii. His engagements focused on introducing WeGO’s initiatives, including the prestigious Seoul Smart City Prize (SSCP), and exploring collaborative opportunities with key stakeholders in academia, government, and civic organizations.
Secretary General Kim met with distinguished scholars and leaders from the East-West Center and the University of Hawaii, including Dr. Charles Morrison (Former President & Senior Research Fellow), Dr. Denny Roy (Senior Research Fellow), Ms. Shannon Dorsey (Diplomatic Fellow), and Mr. Zachary Espino (Executive Administrative Officer). Discussions revolved around WeGO’s mission and the significance of the SSCP in promoting innovative urban solutions. Mr. Kim extended an invitation to Dr. Morrison to join the SSCP High Council and explored avenues for future collaboration between WeGO and the East-West Center to advance smart and sustainable city projects in the Asia-Pacific region.
In another key meeting, WeGO Secretary General engaged with leadership from the Korean Association of Hawaii, including Mr. Dae Young Seo (President), Mr. Young Don Nam (Chairman), and Mr. Soo Hyun Chae (Senior Vice President). The discussion centered on the role of Korean communities in fostering international cooperation and the potential for collaboration between WeGO and the City of Honolulu. The Korean Association of Hawaii expressed keen interest in supporting initiatives that align with WeGO’s objectives, further bridging ties between Seoul and Honolulu.
Finally, Secretary-General Kim also met with Honolulu city officials, including Mr. Andy Sugg (Chief of Staff), Mr. Ben Sullivan (Director of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency), and Ms. Ka’ili Trask O’Connell (Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts). During this meeting, he introduced WeGO’s programs and invited Honolulu to become a member of the organization. He also encouraged the city’s participation in the Seoul Smart City Prize, highlighting the initiative’s role in recognizing cities that exemplify technological innovation and sustainability.
Discussions with Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor
Further strengthening WeGO’s engagement in Hawaii, Mr. Kim held a meeting with Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. He provided an overview of WeGO’s impact in fostering smart urban solutions and invited her to participate in Seoul Smart Life Week. This event, co-organized by WeGO and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, serves as a global platform for city leaders, technology experts, and policymakers to share best practices and strategies for sustainable urban development.
About WeGO
The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), is a membership-based international association of local governments, smart tech solution providers, and institutions committed to the transformation of cities into smart sustainable cities through facilitating public-private partnerships (PPP). WeGO was founded by 50 member cities in 2010 as the World e-Governments Organization, hence our acronym. In response to the evolving concept of smart cities, WeGO expanded its vision and mandate at the 7th General Assembly (2017) and its name to the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization. WeGO’s Secretariat is based in Seoul, Korea, and has regional offices in East Asia (Chengdu, China), the Mediterranean (Beyoglu, Turkey), Africa (Abuja, Nigeria), Middle East & North Africa (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), Latin America (Cuenca, Ecuador), and Central Asia (Almaty, Kazakhstan). As the leading platform on smart city development, WeGO’s mission is to share knowledge and good practices in e-Governance; strengthen administrative efficiency and transparency; advance digital capacity; facilitate civic involvement; bridge the digital divide and inequality; and promote cooperation solidarity among cities and local governments around the world.
WeGO serves for its members as their international platform to improve the quality of life, innovate in the delivery of public services, and strengthen regional competitiveness.
Press Contact:
Name: Kakim Danabayev
E-mail: kakim@we-gov.org
Phone: +82-70-4202-9169