Gwangju Seo-gu, Re-certified as a 'Age-friendly City' by the World Health Organization

Published 14 Nov.2022 14:34(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Yi-gang) has obtained re-certification as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Age-friendly Cities International Network.

According to Seo-gu on the 14th, the Age-friendly Cities International Network is a global project promoted by the World Health Organization since 2006 to effectively respond to the global trends of aging and urbanization, serving as a platform for international information sharing.

Age-friendly city certification requires meeting the establishment conditions of implementation plans in eight major areas: convenience of external environment and buildings, transportation, stability of residential environment, communication and information, community support and health, leisure and social activities, utilization of human resources, respect and social integration.

Seo-gu joined the WHO Age-friendly Cities Network in 2019 and established the first phase (2019?2021) implementation plan, striving to create "Centenarian Youth, Happy Companionship! Age-friendly City Seo-gu."

Subsequently, under the vision of "Age-friendly City Gwangju Seo-gu Created Together," Seo-gu evaluated the results of the first phase and submitted a mid- to long-term promotion strategy for the second phase (2022?2026), focusing on 54 key projects in six major areas, to the WHO last month, receiving re-certification this month.

A Seo-gu official said, "With this re-certification, we have taken a step closer to realizing the 'Age-friendly City Gwangju Seo-gu Created Together'." He added, "We will do our best to promote the selected implementation tasks to improve the quality of life for the elderly and enable them to enjoy a healthy old age."

Meanwhile, with this re-certification, Seo-gu will maintain its membership in the Age-friendly Cities International Network until 2026.