Today's Edition
Wael Badran (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi-Seoul ties represent the pinnacle of a long-standing relationship, said Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, highlighting the two capitals' vision to become cities of the future.
In an interview with Aletihad, Oh said that both cities have developed strategic cooperation in various fields, including transportation, smart city infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, which are essential elements for a future city.
He mentioned that due to the expansion of the UAE's foreign investments, Korea's interest in the Middle East is increasing.
The Mayor noted that the state visit by President Yoon to the UAE in January last year resulted in the signing of memorandums of understanding in the fields of energy, defence, and new industries.
Friendship City Agreement
Oh added that the visit of the Deputy Mayor of Seoul to Abu Dhabi in May of last year initiated discussions that formalised the Friendship City Agreement, which came into effect in June 2023.
Seoul’s status as a smart city and its use of digital technologies in daily life make it an ideal partner for Abu Dhabi in areas such as transportation, smart city initiatives, and urban development, he said, adding that this cooperation is significant as it extends beyond large investments into fields like culture, art, and tourism, promising substantial progress in urban development across various sectors.
The future holds the potential for rapid expansion of exchange and cooperation between the two cities, with mutual benefits and progress on the horizon.
Smart Transportation
Oh emphasised that his country will leverage its experience, expertise, and smart infrastructure to enhance relations with Abu Dhabi, stating that Seoul’s motto is “A Globally Attractive City”. The Mayor highlighted Seoul’s distinctive transportation policies during the Annual Investment Meeting in Abu Dhabi, including the world’s first self-driving buses for late-night or early-morning workers and self-driving medical ambulances. These policies reflect Seoul’s commitment to advanced technology in transportation, aligning with the city’s philosophy of combining automation with advanced technology.
Cultural Exchange
He noted the partnership between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, aiming to invite top artists from each city to perform and showcase diverse artworks, thereby promoting cultural exchange.
Oh also mentioned that both Seoul and Abu Dhabi aim to become global cultural destinations and art hubs. To achieve this, it is essential for both cities to preserve and develop their traditional cultures while embracing diverse cultural influences from regions with different languages, ethnicities, and histories.
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is set to perform at the Abu Dhabi Classics event organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism in November 2024, marking the first appearance of a Seoul-based artistic organisation in Abu Dhabi. This year has seen comprehensive cooperation between the Seoul Museum of Art and the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, including interactive exhibitions, loans and exchanges of works, joint commissions and productions, research visits, writings, and artist exchange programmes.
Urban Development
During his visit to Yas Island this month, Oh noted that exploring the Saadiyat Cultural District provided valuable insights into how spatial innovation can significantly enhance the quality of life for residents. He stated that the successful urban development project on Yas Island serves as a valuable educational experience that will help in advancing plans to reinvent the Korean city of Sangam, emphasising his country’s eagerness to explore various public-private cooperation avenues to create recreational and environmental spaces.
Regarding the Saadiyat Cultural District, Oh expressed his belief that landmarks combining culture and architecture play a crucial role in enhancing the city’s global competitiveness and vibrancy.
He said that the visit to the Saadiyat Cultural District reinforced the notion that landmarks merging culture and architecture play a vital role in driving global competitiveness and revitalising cities.
The completion of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum and other sites in the cultural district will make it a leading cultural centre in the Middle East, he added. Reflecting on his participation in the second edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit held on the 6th of this month, Oh noted that Korean companies garnered significant attention from investors and officials.
He expressed hope that this momentum continues with the Seoul FinTech Week and Smart Life Week in October, welcoming more companies, investors, and government officials from the UAE to Seoul.
Seoul has collaborated with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry on several trade exchange projects, including participation in major trade fairs in the Middle East, he noted.
